Local News ... (Archives)
PRESIDENT’S
THREAT TO VETO GI BILL AND UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION EXPANSION“The President is asking us to provide $108 billion in additional spending for the war in Iraq this year and almost $70 billion in additional war spending for next year, yet this morning he said that he would veto our efforts to expand the GI Bill for Iraqi and Afghanistan veterans and to extend unemployment benefits for workers who’s benefits have been exhausted. Those two items cost less than one-tenth of what the President wants to spend in Iraq"
"The return of warm, windy weather has led to wildfires across southern and central Michigan already this year," said Paul Kollmeyer, DNR fire prevention specialist. "It only takes a short time after the snow recedes to dry out the dead grass and leaves to the point at which they will easily ignite and burn."
"Hurley junior Hailey Manzanares was solid from the mound, pitching the complete game with six strikeouts. Manzanares gave up seven hits and had one walk."
""Nice to get a home game in. Nice to see the sun shining. Nice to be out here period," Hurley (2-1) coach Aaron Bender said. Hurley's offense shined in the first inning when the Midgets took a 5-1 lead."
"Hurley's Kim Leinon won the 100-meter high hurdles in 17.7. Stephanie Nevala took the 300 hurdles in 54.2. In the boys meet, local schools did well in the field events. Hurley's Mike Leinon set a school record winning the triple jump at 38-1.5. He also won the high jump (5-6)."
Area
Softball-Big inning gets B/G by Hurley"In a battle of Indianhead Conference softball powers, Butternut/Glidden took advantage of a pair of Hurley errors in a five-run third inning, and B/G went on to defeat the Midgettes 5-1 to remain undefeated."
Area
Baseball-Hurley powers way past B/G in IC opener"Daulton Levra and Jeff Aspinwall led an 11-hit attack as the Hurley Midgets launched a big homestand with a 12-4 win over Butternut/Glidden in Indianhead Conference baseball action Tuesday."
1
bill could cover 2 issues"The move would be one way for the Legislature to join Midwestern states and Canadian governments trying to protect the world's largest source of fresh water and to fix - although only temporarily - the unbalanced state budget. Also Tuesday, it was learned that legislative leaders hope to help fix the budget deficit, in part, by raising $247 million in one-time cash by refinancing bonds from tobacco settlement payments. That's about $210 million more than what Gov. Jim Doyle proposed in March."
Motor
records can be disclosed"The federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act restricts access to personal information held by state departments of motor vehicles. The news organizations said law enforcement agencies cited that law when blacking out information from police reports."
UW
officials cancel sex toys seminar planned by law students"A notice of the event said "the lecture will provide tips and tricks as well as information about health, hygiene, satisfaction, and yes, the law, of sex toys." Student organizers had not planned to allow the sale of products. But Davis said they didn't tell administrators that, which led to the cancellation just hours before the event was to take place on April 23. Once administrators learned students did not intend to sell products, they "un-canceled" the event the same day, Davis said."
Beware
of toxins in fish, anglers told "While going fishing is good, eating the fish you catch could be hazardous to your health. Toxins that can be found in locally caught fish include mercury, PCBs, lead, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and other poisons.'
Enrollment
rises in BadgerCare Plus program"More than 71,000 children and parents in Wisconsin obtained health insurance during a six-week period early this year as the state consolidated and simplified the health programs that provide coverage for low-income families."
"The Wisconsin Law Students for Reproductive Justice had planned an event called “Sex Toys 101” to promote safe alternatives to sex, educate about sexual health and pleasure, and discuss law concerning sex toys, according to the group. Members of the organization submitted a formal complaint to Law School Dean Ken Davis Friday, requesting a formal apology, refund of event expenses and clarification of student organization event rules."
Local bats free from white-nose syndrome
"Several people investigated the bat caves in the Copper Country recently
after a flock of large birds were spotted circling the Cliff Mine. A search
turned up no evidence of dead bats, said Allan Johnson, a Michigan
Technological University professor emeritus of mining engineering; similar
trips to bat enclosures at the Quincy Mine Hoist or the Seneca No. 3 Mine
also turned up nothing."
Statement
of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold on Secret Law and the Threat to Democratic and
Accountable Government"More than any other Administration in recent history, this Administration has a penchant for secrecy. To an unprecedented degree, it has invoked executive privilege to thwart congressional oversight and the state secrets privilege to shut down lawsuits. It has relied increasingly on secret evidence and closed tribunals, not only in Guantanamo but here in the United States."
"U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) is continuing his work to assist American families facing affordable housing challenges by pushing for increased funding for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. Feingold and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) were joined by 24 other senators in writing to the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee in support of the increase."
SWAT
team begins training "The SWAT team is made up of three members each from the Gogebic and Iron County, Wis., sheriff's departments, and the Ironwood public safety and Hurley police departments. Iron County deputy Chris Voyer is team commander."
Midgets
fall to T-birds"The T-birds scored two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Hurley got one run back in the top of the sixth inning to make it 2-1, but gave up three runs in the bottom of the sixth. "It was a good, tight game. We just didn't get the key hits when we had chances to score," said Hurley manager Aaron Bender."
"Before joining MSUE, Patritto worked with University of Wisconsin Extension in Iron County as a family development agent and nutrition education coordinator, and as director of DOVE Inc., the local domestic abuse shelter."
DNR
developing plan
to protect wildlife"The Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan is the result of a 2001 authorization by Congress to implement and fund programs designed to assess the protection of not just terrestrial and aquatic species, but to broaden the scope around the habitats and communities where those species reside."
Janesville
to lose 750 GM jobs"The cuts represent the most dramatic impact yet of record-high oil and gasoline prices on Wisconsin's economy. The factory is one of four GM plants that will see jobs cut."
State,
U.K. may deal on climate"In a statement released during his overseas trip, Gov. Jim Doyle said he met with two British environmental policy-makers to discuss a potential memorandum of understanding between the United Kingdom and Wisconsin on climate-change issues. The United Kingdom has similar agreements in place with California - the first state to pass a law requiring reduced greenhouse gas emissions - and Florida."
Voter
ID ruled legal, but state law on hold"The ruling gave Republicans a new argument on an emotional election-year issue. But Democratic leaders, including Gov. Jim Doyle, said the decision didn't change their view that requiring a photo ID would keep minority and older voters from the polls."
Wounded
veterans have fun at BMW driving school""Its a rush!" shouted Lance Cpl. Jeremy Stengel after slipping through a series of left-right slalom turns and bringing his retrofitted 650i coupe to a punching halt on the rain-soaked asphalt Monday. A wide smile broke across the Marine's face at the joy of handling the powerful $85,000 vehicle with a 360 horsepower, V-8 engine. Stengel, of Waterford, Wis., was among about 10 veterans with leg injuries or amputations who drove vehicles outfitted with special controls. The 22-year-old was a quick learner, using a knob on the wheel and a left-hand lever to control the car."
Wis.
governor promises help for GM workers"Doyle promised Monday to send a rapid response team to help the workers expedite unemployment claims and give them access to job training and placement services. The governor says the state will also work to get an extension for unemployment benefits for two years and up to $15,000 for additional education and retraining for eligible workers."
Candidates
poll closely in Wisconsin"... 48 percent currently support Obama to McCain’s 41 percent. If Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., won the nomination, 47 percent of Wisconsinites would choose McCain, and 44 percent would vote for Clinton."
Cell
Phone Contracts Easier For Troops To Get Out Of"Today, the U.S. Senate passed a veterans benefits bill which included an effort by U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) to allow service members who are deployed overseas to terminate cell phone contracts without having to pay termination or reactivation fees. Feingold introduced the measure in 2006 after learning of Wisconsin service members being forced to pay early termination fees or pay for a service they cannot use when they are bravely serving our country."
“I hear firsthand from firefighters in Wisconsin how important these grants are in ensuring our first responders are prepared to protect our communities,” Feingold said. “I’ve been pleased to support this program over the years and I will continue to do what I can to ensure our firefighters get the resources they need.”
New
Bill Protects Seniors From Financial Fraud - Senior-Spectrum
- Sacramento,CA"The bill, introduced by Senator Herb Kohl, D-Wis., chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Senator David Vitter, R-La., offers the resources necessary to protect seniors from unscrupulous financial advisors who prey on the retirement savings of the elderly by touting misleading or fraudulent “senior designations.”"
Conservatives
Increasingly Tuned Out Everything Except Fox News Between 1998-2006"Fox News was also the “most politically divisive TV channel,” with 70 percent of conservatives and just 3 percent of liberals watching it daily. But too much Fox News may be bad news for conservatives. An April 2007 Pew Research Study survey found that viewers of the conservative Fox News channel had the lowest knowledge of national and international affairs."
28 April
Lioness book dancers, musicians for luncheon"The Mercer Lioness spring luncheon on May 17 will feature entertainment by the Von Drake Dancers and Heavenly Strings."
Businesses
brace for Hwy. 2 rebuild"When we are finished we are going to have a brand new four-lane highway with a center left-turn lane that we don't have now, so you won't have to jog out of the way of somebody trying to turn in front of you any more. You are going to have a better-designed highway."
"According to an April 23 intelligence assessment obtained by The Associated Press, ‘‘The use of a small boat as a weapon is likely to remain al-Qaida’s weapon of choice in the maritime environment, given its ease in arming and deploying, low cost, and record of success.’’"
Older
cars to get a pass on state emissions tests"The decision to give older cars a pass will also send more pollutants into the air until 2018. But other factors such as the use of reformulated gas will lessen the effects, officials say. These and other features are part of a revamping of the state's emissions inspection program for cars and trucks in seven counties, including all of metro Milwaukee."
Few
reforms find a home in farm bill"They wanted to reduce subsidies for wealthy farmers, encourage healthier foods and boost conservation and hunger programs. But major reform proposals pushed by Rep. Ron Kind (D-La Crosse) and others largely fell flat amid fierce opposition by groups representing corn, wheat, sugar and other commodity-crop growers."
400
diverted into treatment, freeing courts, jail space"The Treatment Alternatives and Diversion or TAD program, which began in March of last year using nearly $400,000 in state money, has been an alternative and successful option to address the overwhelming need for substance abuse treatment in communities and in the state prison system, said Ryan Sugden, speaking for the state Office of Justice Assistance."
School
districts look at consolidating"Twenty-seven percent of Wisconsin's school superintendents said their school boards have held discussions during the past few years about the possibility of dissolving or consolidating their districts, according to a statewide survey released last year ... Among districts considering dissolving or consolidating, more than 90 percent said the talks were prompted by financial problems."
"Public
Enemies" crew makes way around Wis."Last week, the crew was in Manitowish Waters in northern Wisconsin at Little Bohemia Lodge, the site of a famous 1930s shooting in the federal government's chase for Dillinger and his gang. Producers also have filmed in Oshkosh, Columbus and Darlington in Wisconsin, and Crown Point, Ind., Chicago and Aurora, Ill."
Local
Fair Trade startups hit hard by economy"The plea to customers helped generate immediate record sales that day and e-mail responses from more than 100 customers who pledged their support ... Fair Indigo, launched in 2006 by several former Lands' End executives and employees, had seen robust sales prior to this period from its Web site, fairindigo.com, from its catalog, and from its retail store at the Hilldale Shopping Center."
Obey
talks Iraq war, budget woes"The President is saying that he will not sign any bill that exceeds his numbers," Obey said. "Well, we are not going to cut rural health by 60 percent. We are not going to eliminate vocational education. ... And we are going to expand the GI bill, and we are going to expand veterans' health care, whether the administration likes it or not."
Cover
the Uninsured Week"Despite the outcry from businesses and health care providers, and the fact that the number of Americans uninsured continues to grow in our tough economy, the government has failed to adequately address the problem."
26&27 April
Entries
sought for annual Bessemer Blast parade"The Fourth of July Committee and Kalan encourages area businesses, clubs, youth groups, churches and organizations to consider constructing a float unit for this year. With the Vietnam Moving Wall in town and with the additional advertising being done to invite many surrounding communities and veterans to come visit the wall, the committee hopes they will experience an increase in the crowd viewing their giant parade on Friday, July 4."
Illinois
questions water pact"Under the compact, communities in Waukesha County receiving lake water would have to return treated wastewater to the lake instead of the Fox River. That has Illinois water officials combing Waukesha Water Utility records to determine the possible effect on the river's flow if Waukesha stopped sending its treated wastewater to the river."
"The Portage Daily Register reported online that the tornado struck a horse barn, and that three horses were trapped and had to be dug out of the debris. Work crews from the county's highway department were clearing roads of downed trees and other debris Friday night, Johnson said. Elsewhere in southern Wisconsin, zero visibility from heavy downpours was reported in Sauk County, where vehicles were left stranded on rain-flooded roads."
[My friends in Hurley will be happy to know that I was a good 10 miles south of where the radio was announcing the tornado was crossing I90-I94.
Prices
eat away at grocery budgets"More than half of those surveyed in March, 56%, said they were using up leftovers. Almost as many said they were preparing more meals at home compared with a year ago, and 54% said they were stocking up when items go on sale."
Capital
Times expands on Web"National media have focused on the move because The Capital Times is a prominent newspaper making the move to publish primarily online. The afternoon newspaper, which began publishing on Dec. 13, 1917, faced, like other papers around the country, the challenge of declining circulation that had dipped to 16,500 from a height of about 47,000 four decades ago."
Male
Wisconsin prairie chickens mated with Minnesota females"David Drake, a University of Wisconsin-Madison assistant professor of forest and wildlife ecology, has been spending considerable time with the birds in recent weeks during their mating season, and says the effort seems to be succeeding. "They have no problem," he said. "They're not asking for ID. We found that out.""
"As The Capital Times enters its new era with a strong presence on the Internet and our two weekly magazines, many people will be taking on new roles at the paper. Here is a guide to who will be doing what as we head into our new world."
With
flooding, be on alert for contaminated well water ""If there has been any flooding around the well, there is a high risk that your water supply will be contaminated," health system spokesman Jeff Golden said... Even if water from a flooded well looks clear, the safest approach is to assume it's contaminated."
UW’s
search for diversity"The current number of all ethnic minorities combined represents 12.6 percent of the approximately 29,000 undergraduates compared to 8.8 percent in 1998. The number of non-white graduate students has increased from 768 in 1998 to 861 in 2007, increasing from 9 to 9.7 percent of the grad school student body. The data excludes foreign students."
Dog
breeder faces five counts"According to a complaint filed at the Wood County Courthouse, Humane Officer Nancy Powell found 77 dogs in a 23-by-17 room on March 5 that were covered in feces and urine that had not been removed for an extended period of time. The negligence and cruel treatment by Reno created the risk of death and great bodily harm to the animals, the complaint said."
Lake
Superior levels higher than last year
"“As of the 21st, Lake Superior was at 600.5 feet,” said Keith Kompoltowicz,
a meteorologist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Detroit. “That is
below average by about 10, 11 inches but it’s six or seven inches higher
than it was last year.” The long-term average water level for the
month of April is 601.3 feet. Last year’s average Lake Superior water level
for the month of April was 599.9 feet."
Former
Lac du Flambeau Officer Sentenced "A former Lac du Flambeau police officer has been sentenced on charges of battery, bail jumping and posession of a firearm while intoxicated. According to the Forest County District Attorney, who handled the case, the felony charge of substantial battery against 46 year old Daryl Poupart, was reduced to a misdeameanor."
Senator:
Veterans Affairs lied about suicide tries - Detroit Free
Press"Another e-mail said an average of 18 war veterans kill themselves each day -- and five of them are under VA care when they commit suicide. Legislation introduced Tuesday by Murray, Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa., and Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., would call on the VA to track how many veterans commit suicide each year."
Bill
to help troops avoid unfair cell fees - WKOW-TV.com -
Madison,WI"Today, the U.S. Senate passed a veterans benefits bill which included an effort by U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) to allow servicemembers who are deployed overseas to terminate cell phone contracts without having to pay termination or reactivation fees. Feingold introduced the measure in 2006 after learning of Wisconsin service members being forced to pay early termination fees or pay for a service they cannot use when they are bravely serving our country."
KOHL
BILL TO ESTABLISH COURT INTERPRETERS GRANT PROGRAM APPROVED BY SENATE PANEL""The shortage of qualified interpreters has become a national problem, and it has serious consequences that can unfairly alter legal decisions and affect lives," Kohl said. "My legislation would help to ensure fair trials for individuals with limited English proficiency by creating a modest grant program for state courts to hire certified court interpreters."
America’s
Future Economic Vitality Depends on Older Workers -
Senior-Spectrum - Sacramento,CA"The Taskforce report led Senator Herb Kohl, D-Wis., chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging to comment: “What we really need to focus on is creating innovative workplace practices and providing attractive employer benefits to facilitate the hiring and retention of older workers.”"
Research
Advocates Sink Tap on Budgets - Science Now"There he was joined by a last-minute plea from a Democratic heavyweight, Representative David Obey of Wisconsin, the chair of the House spending panel. Obey pointed out that growing SBIR "does no harm for a large agency whose budget has been rising, such as the Department of Defense, but it can do immeasurable harm to the crown jewel of our research agencies in this country, the National Institutes of Health.""
"“The evolution of politics on the internet has allowed people to engage, affect, analyze, discuss, applaud and dissent from their government in ways that were unimaginable 10 years ago,” Lee said. “After decades of citizens feeling more and more detached from their government, the Internet is allowing that trend to reverse, and nowhere with more passion and brilliance than the blogosphere,” he said."
[Incidentally, MyHurley.net is on the press distribution lists for Obey, Jauch, and Sherman. Their cooperation is appreciated. We also receive agendas and/or minutes from Iron County, the City of Hurley, and the Hurley K-12 School District. Hurley is near the forefront of this phenomenon. - Bob]
Hurley
schools to receive library aid funds"The school districts will be able to use the first-time aid to purchase computers and related software, in addition to books and media materials. The Common School Fund is derived from civil and criminal fees, fines and forfeitures, timber revenues from public trust lands and revenues from the state's unclaimed property program, Burmaster said."
Hurley
P.D. becomes vehicle registration agent"The department will be able to process most of the motor vehicle titles and registration, and registration renewal transactions that are available at DMV offices."
House
passes bill to treat ballast water on ships"The free ride might be coming to an end for oceangoing vessels blamed for flooding the Great Lakes with invasive species that have ravaged native fish populations, fouled untold miles of shoreline and spawned botulism outbreaks that have recently killed thousands of Lake Michigan birds."
Health
care company, state deny personal data was at risk"A top official with the state Department of Health and Family Services also sought to assure the state's senior citizens, saying their personal information was never in jeopardy. The statements came in spite of an e-mail from a state official who said he had identified a "significant security hole" with the database..."
Doyle
urges Commerce Department to stop unfair paper imports"The U.S. Commerce Department is expected to make a preliminary determination next month on whether German and Chinese manufacturers dumped artificially cheap lightweight paper into the market. Doyle has sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez urging him to stop such imports."
Deer
with arrow protruding out of its side best left alone"It isn't until the first deer turns broadside that you see the shocking picture: Just beyond the deer's left hip, along the backbone, an arrow is sticking out of the animal's hide, buried in the flesh of the deer almost all the way to the bright yellow fletching."
LdF
tribe will maintain
three walleye bag this spearing season"Lac du Flambeau is going to a three walleye bag this year," Edwards said. "I called and spoke to 10 of the 12 people on the tribal council - Brooks [Jerome Big John] and Tom [Maulson], I left a message with, but they never called me back - and what we're probably going to have to do is stay with [the agreement] this year."
Tribal
leaders take on dissidents' allegations"Leaders of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians have endured in recent months an incessant barrage of allegations from tribal dissidents, who have accused them of mismanagement and corruption, but this month the administration of president Victoria Doud battled back, saying its opponents have used a variety of unsavory and dishonest tactics to twist the truth and create political instability."
DNR
docks boat
patrol funds"To determine how much it will reimburse counties and municipalities for their boat patrols, the DNR uses a ratio based on total patrol hours and the number of citations. Marathon County was docked $687 in 2007 and $1,543 in 2006 from its reimbursement because it failed to meet the expected ratio, according to DNR records."
ATV
Trails Opening Postponed"Due to wet ground conditions, the Lincoln County Summer ATV trails and the Underdown recreational trails will not open May 1, 2008. Check www.co.lincoln.wi.us for updates or call 536-0327."
On
First Ever World Malaria Day, Feingold Calls for Action"Malaria is no longer perceived as a threat to us – particularly when compared with the devastation wrought by HIV or cancer -- but in sub-Saharan Africa or Asia, malaria is anything but invisible. In these parts of the world, a child dies of malaria every thirty seconds."
24 April
Silver
Street Shootout 8-Ball Pool Tournament Date Set"The 9th Annual Silver Street Shootout is scheduled to take place on Friday-Sunday, May 16-18, 2008. A singles 9-ball tournament will start off the competition on Friday, May 16, 2008. Play will begin at 7:00 PM."
Wind
farms proposed on water"The projects are being discussed as several state agencies have launched a study to determine the feasibility of erecting wind turbines on the two Great Lakes that border the state - Superior and Michigan."
Doyle
looks to spare road work"Doyle said this week he is worried that the lack of a budget-repair deal could force the Department of Transportation to reduce $261 million in construction contracts it plans to award in May and June. "I think we're going to have to make some decisions and get something done," said Doyle..."
Natural
Resources Board approves fall deer hunt rules"The annual revisions to the state's fall hunting rules set up 35 earn-a-buck zones. They generally fall along the state's Minnesota border from St. Croix County south to Grant County and in the eastern quarter of the state, from Shawano County south to Waukesha County. Most of the southern half of the state remains classified as a chronic wasting disease area. That region will have 18 zones where earn-a-buck will be in effect."
Feingold:
Track suicides of veterans""The fact that the VA has no real data on the suicide rate among veterans shows how much needs to be done to address the mental health needs of veterans, " Feingold said in a statement. VA data provided last year show the number of attempts and suicides by military veterans at VA facilities increased from 492 in 2000 to 790 in 2007, according to the senators."
Woman's
body recovered from Lake Superior"A search of the area had failed to find her until a search dog pointed to a location in the lake and divers found the body about 6 p.m. Wednesday. Bayfield County Sheriff Robert Follis says foul play is not suspected and the death remains under investigation."
Bankruptcy
filings increase nearly 30 percent in WI"Court records show there were 4,570 bankruptcy petitions filed in Wisconsin through March, up from 3,530 during the same period a year ago. The state figures are similar to what’s happening nationally. The American Bankruptcy Institute says bankruptcy filings are up about 27% across the country from January through March compared with the same period in 2007."
"When a search of the area by family members failed to turn up any trace of the missing woman Monday evening, the Bayfield County Sheriff's Department was notified, initiating a search, which was later extended to the Bayview/Bayfield area and the adjacent waters of Lake Superior."
Youth
open house puts spotlight on tribe-school relations"The event was a result of efforts that have been taking place since May of last year, aimed at ending decades of often-strained relationships between tribal members and the school district, said organizers of the event. The outcome of those efforts is a Relationship Task Force composed of teachers and counselors from the district and Bad River community members."
Cleaning
up the Environment"Within the Holmboe Natural Resources area, in Rhinelander, lies tons of Terrestrial Invasive Species. So that's where these students from the Northwoods Community Secondary School come in handy. Student, Emily Kriesel, says, "Some of us are here for Community Service, some of us are here because we like to do this fun stuff and for me, I'm here to help out.""
Feingold
Works to Reform Outdated Mining Law“Our country’s mining laws have not even been brought into the 20th century, let alone the 21st,” Feingold said. “These antiquated laws are skewed in favor of mining interests at the expense of U.S. taxpayers and the environment."
"As he begins the confirmation process to become the next commander of CENTCOM, General Petraeus must answer the most important question we face, which is not whether we are winning in Iraq, but why we are not defeating al Qaeda.”"
Governor
Doyle Meets with Stem Cell Expert Dr. Stephen Minger“Wisconsin is a worldwide leader in stem cell research. By reaching out to international leaders and biotechnology companies, we will expand this status, as well as bring investments and jobs to Wisconsin,” Governor Doyle said. “In September our progress will be on display when visionaries like Dr. Minger will visit Madison from across the globe for the 2008 World Stem Cell Summit.”
House
GOP Candidate Spoke At Hitler Event - CBS News"Tony Zirkle, who is seeking the Republican nomination in northern Indiana's 2nd District, stood in front of a painting of Hitler, next to people wearing swastika armbands and with a swastika flag in the background for the speech to the American National Socialist Workers Party in Chicago on Sunday."
[I promise to post, in a timely fashion, names of local Republicans who wish to condemn and repute the comments of this Republican candidate. - Bob]
23 April
Teenager
suspected of making bomb threat at Mercer School"A 15-year-old is responsible for Monday's bomb threat at Mercer K-12 School, according to Iron County Sheriff Bob Bruneau. Separate bomb threats made a week earlier remain under investigation, the sheriff said in a news release Tuesday morning."
Poplar
Street bridge to be replaced in 2009"The Poplar Street bridge over the Montreal River from Ironwood to Hurley will be replaced in the summer of 2009 at minimal cost to three area entities. In September, construction of the new bridge was estimated to cost about $360,000, according to Ironwood City Manager Scott Erickson."
Natural
Resources Board to consider new CWD rules"The board is expected to vote Wednesday on the package. A citizens group recommended the changes after reviewing the state's plan for fighting the deadly deer brain disease."
Midgettes
win home opener"The Midgettes (3-2) hadn't even practiced on the field this season, instead using the snow-free parking lot. And Lakeland wasn't on the schedule either, for that matter. "There was snow in the outfield on Saturday," said Hurley athletics director Dean Kolpin. "Spring really came fast.""
Admitted
drunken driving leads nation"More than 26% of Wisconsin adults 18 and older told government researchers in massive nationwide surveys that they had driven under the influence in the previous year. Not only was that the highest percentage of any state, it was more than 70% above the national average, 15.1%.
DNR
reduces bag limits for walleye on over 400 northern lakes"The tribes declared plans to spear on up to 412 lakes across the northern third of the state. That compares with 279 northern lakes in 2007. The declarations to spear on more lakes prompted the DNR to lower bag limits on 324 lakes to two walleye a day and on 88 lakes to three walleye."
Small
fire breaks out at Wis. resort where Depp is filming"The electrical fire caused smoke damage to the second floor of the Little Bohemia Resort, where Universal Studios is shooting scenes for the 1930s-era gangster film, fire officials said Wednesday... No one was in the building when the fire started, Manitowish Waters Fire Chief Skip Skrobot said."
Ramsey
County judge rules MPCA must regulate ballast water"Gearin's ruling acknowledges that other states and Canada have territory along Lake Superior and have ships that could discharge ballast water into the lake. However, she say's that's no excuse for MPCA not to act. She also says the MPCA has not handled the issued with the urgency demanded by dangers poised by the virus."
Microsoft
to partner with UW on database lab in Madison"The lab is expected to open with six full-time employees, but Dewitt said he would like it to grow to 10 or 20 scientists in coming years. Microsoft will pay graduate students to do research at the lab, which is also expected to provide internships for students and consulting opportunities for faculty."
Second
Story Resale"Groskopf manages Second Story. She says the programs goal is to take materials that would probably end up in the dump and find them a new home. This is their first sale ever and so far it's going well. She says, "There's been a lot of customers coming and asking questions about the program and showing support so we're real happy about that." "
Feingold
Welcomes Senate's Focus on Veterans Bill“I’ve even heard of veterans who are receiving care for a service-connected condition but are not informed that they are also entitled to benefits for that condition."
National
Security Letters“The Justice Department’s Inspector General documented serious misuse and abuse of National Security Letters from 2003 to 2006. A follow-up audit conducted by the FBI itself not only confirmed the Inspector General’s findings, it documented even more violations. These widespread problems are directly attributable to the Patriot ..."
KOHL
COLUMN ON EARTH DAY"Recently, my colleagues and I in Congress took an important step towards protecting our environment, as well as our economy and national security, by passing into law the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. This legislation raises the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for cars and light trucks to 35 miles per gallon by 2020..."
There
is a crisis in Florida - True Majority"There is a human rights crisis in Florida's fields. Farm laborers are being paid poverty wages while working long hours without overtime pay. There is even physical abuse and wage fraud by crew leaders, supervisors, and growers."
22 Spril
Range
Master Gardeners Helping To Keep Our World Green!"The participants received 36 hours of horticultural training with UW-Extension specialists and faculty. In order for the trainees to become certified and maintain their certification, the Master Gardener Volunteers must volunteer 24 hours in approved community gardening activities and receive ten hours of additional training every year."
[Unfortunately, lacking a direct link to the article, you have to scroll down to it. - Bob]
Proudly
green"Designed by Cedarburg-based Kubala Washatko Architects and named for the Wisconsin conservationist Aldo Leopold, the study center was awarded 61 of 69 possible points by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program, more than any other building yet rated in the world."
"The company also reports in its first quarter earnings Tuesday that it saw continued publishing and broadcasting revenue declines because of slumping ad sales. But results from continuing operations met Wall Street's expectations."
"After subtracting the commissions paid to the company's advertising partners, Google's revenue stood at $3.7 billion -- about $100 million above analyst estimates. "It's clear we are well positioned for 2008 and beyond, regardless of the business environment we are surrounded by," Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt told analysts..."
Northwoods
welcomes film's economic stimulus""I don't expect a star to walk in, but maybe some of the people from Minocqua who come up to see what they can see," Hutton said. Tourism is a major driver of the economy in the Northwoods. In Oneida County, where Minocqua is located, the number of jobs peaks between June and August. Seasonal businesses add roughly 2,000 jobs, an increase of more than 10 percent above the county's year-round employment, according to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. "Public Enemies," slated for release July 1, 2009, could give the area another boost during next year's tourism season.
DNR
recommends no ATV trails in NHAL state forest"That was something we heard after our February meeting, 'holy cow, you guys really over-engineered this thing,'" he said. "So we reacted to that by giving a better explanation of why it is that boardwalks cost $1,000 per foot. We explained that the places that we're talking about building boardwalks, there might be open water or there might be eight feet of muck."
Cost
of Food on the Rise"While Carrie's doing all she can to manage the soaring cost of food, local schools are finding it hard to keep up. The Northland Pines Food Service Director says it's getting extremely difficult just to break even on school lunches, and he's never seen prices this high."
"The site allows people to click on their county to see what utility companies in their area offer in terms of renewable energy. The information includes renewable energy options, how much they cost and directions about how to contact the companies."
Statement
of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold on Earth Day 2008"Much has been accomplished since Senator Nelson began his groundbreaking work to protect our environment, but there is still much to be done."
Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold on Equal Pay Day 2008
"Even in the 21st century, unfair wage disparities based on sex, race and
national origin still stifle the potential of far too many Americans. The
economic downturn our country is facing has also been tougher on women."
"Despite this, our democracy still falls far short of its promise to be a government that truly represents the will of its citizens. Across the country there are 5.3 million Americans who are denied the right to vote because of a felony conviction in their past. Nearly 4 million of these people are not in prison; they live, work, pay taxes, and raise families in our communities, but remain disenfranchised for years, often for decades, and sometimes for life."
FORECLOSURE
RESCUE SCAM BILL"The time is now for Congress to attack this growing problem, which is a direct consequence of the mortgage crisis plaguing this country. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to support our bipartisan legislation that would end these cruel acts of fraud against struggling homeowners."
EXECUTIVE
ORDER # 247"Relating to a Proclamation that the Flag of the United States and the Flag of the State of Wisconsin be Flown at Half-Staff as a Mark of Respect for Lance Corporal Dean Opicka of the United States Marine Corps Reserve Who Lost His Life During Operation Iraqi Freedom"
EXECUTIVE
ORDER # 248"Relating to a Proclamation that the Flag of the United States and the Flag of the State of Wisconsin be Flown at Half-Staff as a Mark of Respect for Corporal Richard Nelson of the United States Marine Corps Reserve Who Lost His Life During Operation Iraqi Freedom"
21 April
Area
Softball-Hurley goes 1-2 at Escanaba"Hurley picked up a 6-4 victory over Gladstone, Mich., in its first game, breaking away with a big fifth inning. While the Midgettes then fell to Marquette, Mich., and Escanaba, Mich., by respective scores of 8-0 and 5-0, those games were closer than the score indicated."
School
lunch costs rise"The hope is that slightly raising the price of lunches will help cover anticipated deficits caused by rising food costs, inflation and the inability of federal and state reimbursements to keep up with the cost of producing meals in schools. It's unclear whether lunch prices will be bumped up again for the 2009-'10 year, or if taxpayers will be asked to shoulder some of the costs."
Court
rules anti-bias laws apply to religious schools"She said she taught religion in four half-hour sessions each week, led brief prayers twice a day and supervised children during weekly Mass attendance. The appellate court said previous cases had determined that the state could not intervene in a church decision involving an employee whose job was ministerial. Ostlund's job was not ministerial, the court found."
"Public
Enemies" filming this week in northern Wisconsin"Universal Studios plans to film scenes this week for "Public Enemies" at the exact spot in northern Wisconsin that bank robber John Dillinger tried to hide from the FBI. Little Bohemia Lodge in Manitowish Waters is also the site of a famous 1930s shooting in the federal government's chase for Dillinger and his gang of thieves."
Many
state government employees earn more than Gov. Doyle"The state Department of Administration provided a database of 15,300 employees’ earnings and overtime pay to the newspaper and it shows that Gov. Jim Doyle earned $136,263 last year. At least 119 state employees made more than Doyle, including psychiatrists, physicians and state pension investors. All of the senior management staff at the State of Wisconsin Investment Board earned more. The state’s top earner listed in the database, the investment board’s deputy executive director, Gail Hanson, was paid almost $397,000 last year."
“Madison has long been considered one of the most bike friendly cities in the country,” Governor Doyle said. “It’s great to see the opening of a store like DreamBikes that will not only introduce biking to a new audience, but provide jobs and important skills to area teenagers in need.”
19&20 April
WDNR
recommends no ATV trails be developed in Northern Highland
"This recommendation should not be interpreted as a lack of support by the agency for the development of sustainable ATV trails on state properties," said Chief State Forester Paul DeLong. "The department currently manages extensive ATV trails on the Black River and Flambeau River state forests, but in our analysis of the NHAL, these trail alternatives don't provide a cost-effective trail development plan that is both sustainable and meets rider expectations."
Midgettes
win first meet by a hair ""I was extremely happy with the way our girls performed," Midgettes coach Melissa Oja said. "I'm very pleased with the effort from the new girls." Thursday should give Hurley some confidence."
Midgets
take second in IC meet ""It's a great start to our season," Hurley assistant coach Greg Rigoni said. "It was great to get some competition under our belt." The Midgets have run a lot in the hallways, with the weather preventing them from practicing on their track."
Ashland
to host first statewide sustainable business conference"The Wisconsin Sustainable Business Conference is slated to take place at Northland College April 24-25. It is to be followed by a post-conference event on April 26 designed to explore the growing eco-municipality movement taking place in Wisconsin."
"The program -- "Real Work, Real Pay" -- will place W-2 participants in jobs where they can earn a regular paycheck, instead of payments from the government. It still depends on a government subsidy, and it costs the state more per person than a typical W-2 placement. But the state expects more employers will participate because the government will cover their costs."
DNR
against new ATV trails in Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest"After hundreds of hours of research and thousands of letters from area residents, DNR officials say the plan doesn't provide a cost-effective trail development plan that is sustainable and meets rider expectations. Researchers say they also faced opposition from residents and many ecological concerns."
Congressional
panel hears of Great Lakes needs"We're still approaching it piecemeal," Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank said. He said a stronger federal partnership would speed the process of protecting and healing the lakes from environmental damage. "We need some federal policies in this area, and it's really time to act. The best solution here is prevention. When we know what the problem is, let's stop doing it."
Feingold
leads on Zimbabwe"Feingold, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, has taken the lead in pressing for a democratic and peaceful result to the increasingly tense standoff between reformers -- who appear to have the support of the vast majority of Zimbabweans -- and the corrupt and thuggish government of President Robert Mugabe."
"About 125 soldiers from the Wisconsin Army National Guard's Troop E, 105th Cavalry, based in Merrill and Antigo, are safely back in the United States after completing an eight-month mission in Iraq. The soldiers arrived in southern Mississippi Tuesday night and are completing demobilization processing this week at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. "
Behind
Military Analysts, the Pentagon’s Hidden Hand - NY Times" In turn, members of this group have echoed administration talking points, sometimes even when they suspected the information was false or inflated. Some analysts acknowledge they suppressed doubts because they feared jeopardizing their access. A few expressed regret for participating in what they regarded as an effort to dupe the American public with propaganda dressed as independent military analysis."
Choosing
War: The Decision to Invade Iraq and Its Aftermath - National
Defense University"Compounding all of these problems, our efforts there were designed to enhance U.S. national security, but they have become, at least temporarily, an incubator for terrorism and have emboldened Iran to expand its influence throughout the Middle East."
[Almost ignored by the main stream media, this report is a "must read" for people who seriously want to know about how it is going in Iraq. Talking-point-Partisans needn't bother. It's kinda long and you might miss American Idol. - Bob]
18 April
Midgettes
pound MedfordShipwreck
off Michigan Island reviewed for historic designation"In her day, she was the archetype of the trim, speedy Great Lakes Schooner. Carrying a full set of canvas aloft, with cargos of grain and iron ore, she was a magnificent vision; widely regarded as the biggest, fastest and most beautiful of all the three-masted lakes schooners of the age."
Area
Softball-Hurley belts Raiders"The Hurley softball team opened with an impressive performance Thursday, traveling to Medford and pounding the Raiders 13-3 in six innings. Hurley used a five-run second inning to open up some breathing room, and the Midgettes put the Raiders away with a four-run sixth."
"Hurley edged out Drummond in the girls meet, scoring 123 points to the Lumberjills 120. Mercer was next at 62 with South Shore fourth at 14 and Washburn fifth with nine."
Local
Fishing Guide Prepares Charter Boat for Upcoming Season"The
season begins in mid-May and continues until September. Early fishing can be
spotty due to the cold water. The fishing usually gets good in early June
and continues for the remainder of the season. Lake Trout are the most
abundant species of fish. Coho Salmon is the next most abundant, Rainbow
Trout, Brown Trout, and Chinook Salmon are caught frequently."
Anti-smoking
drug tied to serious mental illness"But what the Petersons didn't know was that as they were weaning themselves off cigarettes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an alert: Some patients taking the powerful drug had experienced serious neuropsychiatric symptoms. And Pfizer, the maker of Chantix, had recently added a warning about these symptoms in a more prominent position in the drug's information packet, at the FDA's urging."
Court
campaign sets record"Those groups spent $4.8 million, according to estimates released Thursday by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a government and elections watchdog. The previous record was set last year, when third-party groups spent an estimated $3.1 million."
Watchdog
group questions Wis. sheriff's prayer breakfast"A watchdog group on Friday called on Wisconsin Supreme Court justice-elect Michael Gableman to skip a prayer breakfast hosted by a sheriff's department. The Freedom From Religion Foundation called the event a violation of the separation of church and state because it is hosted by the Burnett County Sheriff's Department."
"In response, the commission approved $1.18 million to plan a $58 million facility that, starting in 2012, could house both the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection laboratories."
"National Weather Service meteorologist Steve Davis says his office received calls from sheriff’s departments in Rock, Dane and Kenosha counties looking for information about what happened."
"NASA Colonel Jeffrey Williams from the Sawyer County community of Winter will be one of two Americans, two Russians and a Japanese and European astronaut on the mission scheduled for launch in October 2009."
17 April
Globe
wins AP public service award"This award is especially gratifying for our news staff, for two reasons: We put a lot of thought and effort into our coverage and throughout the campaign we were subjected to personal attacks and unwarranted criticism of what we were doing," Karius said."
[The Superior Chronicle responds to this article HERE with "Good journalists? Or dishonest, disgraceful, embarrassments to the community? You decide."- Bob]
Wisconsin
sportsmen back wolf hunt, 5-1 "People attending meetings throughout the state voted 4,848 to 772 on a proposal from the Wisconsin Conservation Congress that recommends state officials begin drawing up plans for a wolf hunting season structure. In the north, where most of the state's wolf population resides, sportsmen overwhelmingly backed a wolf hunt."
"Stuhr received a diamond champion pin for exceptional customer service after being recognized by 100 customers. She is the first employee in Wisconsin to received this honor, according to store director Chuck Miller."
Confusion
reigns during latest recall hearing in Bad River"A hearing held Tuesday night to give Bad River Tribal Council Member Peter Lemieux a chance to defend himself against a recall petition devolved into confusion, shouts, threats and, ultimately, no decision on Lemieux's fate."
DNR
to test smelt at Superfund site for PAH contamination"A report released last August by Northern States Power, in consultation with the DNR, found elevated levels of a broad range of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pollutant byproducts of the city's heyday of manufactured gas plants and timber operations. "In the area where we have those contaminated sediments, we have some results that indicate impacts to smelt that exceed health standards," said DNR hydrogeologist Jamie Dunn at the agency's Spooner office."
LDF
Given More Control over Water Quality"EPA official Dan Coza says until now, there have been no standards for the reservation's 260 lakes, 71 miles of rivers and streams and 24,000 acres of wetland. The Lac du Flambeau joins the Mole Lake Soakogon band of Chippewa and 39 other U.S. tribes in having federal consent to protect surface water."
Appeals
court judges lament negative campaigning"I just think it is a terrible system," said Evans, who spoke with fellow 7th Circuit Judge Diane Sykes at the Marquette University's Law School. "I think (a change) is long past due."
City
could gain in Great Lakes plan"The cost to fix the five big lakes' toxic industrial messes, tattered food web, ravaged wetlands and chronic sewer overflows, among other problems, was pegged last summer at a staggering $26 billion. But last fall Brookings, a Washington D.C.-based think tank, released a study that said the estimated long-term economic value to the region of the mammoth fix-it program would be about double its price tag."
Harley-Davidson
cuts shipments, jobs as 1Q profit skids"The motorcycle maker also cropped its guidance for 2008, saying it expects earnings to fall between 15 percent and 20 percent. Earnings per share are expected to be between $3 and $3.18, Harley said. Previously, the Milwaukee-based company had said it expected moderate revenue and earnings per share growth of between 4 percent and 7 percent."
Wis.
Legislature doesn't have a date set for compact vote"But the bill is still being drafted, and lawmakers are working out their schedules to find a good day to return to pass it. Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch's spokesman John Murray says the hope is lawmakers will be back next week or the week after to approve the eight-state agreement."
"They're going to do some cosmetic things to the truck to make it look older, but the woman in charge guaranteed me nothing would happen to the truck," Halkoski-Prutz said.
on
the Nomination of Samuel Speck for Commissioner on the International Joint
Commission“In September I was joined by several other Great Lakes Senators in urging the IJC to expedite both its study of potential erosion in the St. Clair River, and its updating of the regulatory plan for Lake Superior’s water level and its outflow. I greatly appreciate the IJC’s attention to this request and its announcement last October that part of the study, which is looking into the St. Clair River, would be expedited by a full year."
Kohl
Statement on Delta-Northwest Airline Deal"While we understand the financial pressures under which the major airlines have been operating, it is nonetheless also vital that this deal does not lead to fare increases and service reductions. We are especially concerned with the consequences of this deal for travelers in small and mid-sized markets, many of whom already have the fewest choice for air carriers today."
16 April
eNews
"Early reports are that a boiler may have exploded. It's not clear if anyone was hurt."
- Finance: Chair, Mussatti; Richards, Bruneau.
- Police, fire and license: Chair, Bruneau; Mussatti, Francis.
- Parks and recreation: Chair, Francis; John Aijala, Robert Lanctoe.
- Board of public works: Chair, Richards; Aijala, Lanctoe.
DeRosso
re-elected Iron County board chairman "District 2 board member Brian Tarro submitted his letter of resignation effective April 10. Tarro said he resigned from the board because of health reasons. He termed his two-year term on the board "a very enlightening experience." He said he learned a lot."
Bomb
threat forces evacuation of Mercer School "Superintendent Jeff Ehrhardt said Tuesday that school staff was working with the Iron County Sheriff's Department to investigate the Monday threats at the Mercer K-12 School. Ehrhardt said a student printed something from a computer in one of the computer labs on Monday; it printed out on a printer in the school's main office."
Residents
vote in favor of wolf hunt"Hunters, anglers and others who attended the Conservation Congress hearings in all 72 counties voted 4,848 to 772 to develop a hunting season on wolves ‘‘to keep the population within management objectives,’’ the state Department of Natural Resources reported Tuesday."
eNews
Two
Marines From Wisconsin Killed in Iraq"Staff Sgt. Cliff Turley, public affairs officer for the Marine Reserve unit, said a single roadside bomb killed 23-year-old Cpl. Richard Nelson of Kenosha and 29-year-old Lance Cpl. Dean Opicka, a Casco native and graduate of Carroll College in Waukesha."
Doyle
wants new state safeguards for data"Doyle, a Democrat, asked the Brown Deer company for the review after two data security breaches this year. In January, contractor EDS Corp. mailed 260,000 brochures to Medicaid recipients that included their Social Security numbers on the address labels. Later that month, the state Department of Revenue sent forms to 5,000 people who had their Social Security numbers visible in the address window."
Vote
on Great Lakes pact is expected to be delayed"The measure passed overwhelmingly in the Democrat-controlled Senate earlier this year but went nowhere in the Republican-controlled Assembly, where some members were concerned the compact's restrictions would be too rigid for Wisconsin's own good."
Osprey
nest confirmed in Ozaukee County town of Cedarburg"DNR regional ecologist Owen Boyle said Tuesday the large black-and-white diving bird of prey that eats mostly fish is classified as threatened in Wisconsin by his agency's Bureau of Endangered Resources. The bald eagle population in northern Wisconsin has been growing and competing with osprey for food, he said, consequently pushing osprey to the southern part of the state."
Agencies
won't say what data they collect, or how they protect it"Even the names of officials who wrote and received memos on the subject were blacked out from the records. Nevertheless, a preliminary review of the audits hints at some weaknesses in protecting the information."
Undocumented
workers file taxes"Workers not documented to work in the United States are nonetheless required by law to pay income taxes and file returns. The Internal Revenue Service in 1996 developed the Individual Tax Identification Number, or ITIN, which it issues for tax purposes to workers not eligible for a Social Security number. That includes several categories of people working legally in the United States, IRS officials say, but people in the tax preparation field consider ITINs, especially among low-income workers, a rough count of filings by undocumented workers."
Bankruptcy
filings soar"The increase follows a significant drop in bankruptcy filings in 2006, after a new law made it more difficult for consumers to seek bankruptcy protection from creditors. Total filings rose to 850,912 in 2007, from 617,660 the previous year, the American Bankruptcy Institute said, citing data from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts."
Ginews
pledge to press their case against tribal leaders"My clients left that building after they were promised by Mr. Carl Artman, the assistant secretary of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C., that he would personally meet with them and perform a forensic audit of the tribe, and they are holding Mr. Artman to his word."
Hanson,
DNR criticized for controversial removal of 'floating island'"Passions rose and tempers occasionally flared at Manitowish Waters' Tuesday, April 8, town board and annual meetings as town residents resoundingly panned town chairman John Hanson and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for their actions in the February removal of Rest Lake's popular 40-year-old "floating island.""
State
Steps Up Protections Against Ash Borer"The state Agriculture Department experimented with sticky traps that capture the beetle in its caterpillar stage. That effort will be done on a large-scale this year. State pest specialist Mick Skwarok says most of the traps will be hung on ash trees within 100 miles of the Illinois infestations and in central and northern campgrounds and lumber mills."
House
Hearing on the Clean Water Restoration Act“I am pleased the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is holding a hearing on this critical legislation and I thank the committee for carefully studying the dangers of rolling back Clean Water Act protections for our rivers, lakes, and wetlands."
FBI's
Misuse of its National Security Letter Authority“The FBI’s misuse of its National Security Letter authority has now been well documented in two Justice Department reports. These problems can be directly attributed to the USA Patriot Act, which gave the FBI a blank check to obtain sensitive information about innocent Americans without judicial oversight."
Obey
Says Administration's Policy in Iraq Will Ruin Next Presidency Too"In my view we need to set a goal - if not a deadline than at least a goal - for ending our participation in combat in order to shake up the place. It seems to me that such a goal would send a message to our friends that they have to shape up and compromise and it would send a message to our enemies that they no longer can persuade people that we are an occupying empire who intends to stay in Iraq forever."
“The Marquis Yacht Division of Carver Boat Corporation is the kind of competitive, high-end manufacturing jobs we want here in Wisconsin. I am pleased that we could assist the Marquis Yacht Company in this major expansion.”
15 April
Happy Tax Day!!!!
And
suddenly, spring "No one at the NWS actually saw the brown snow, but based on research and having received the reports, they believe it to be true, she said. The brown snow's origins were in New Mexico and western Texas, which has experienced a very dry stretch of weather, Cronce said. Dust moved east into the southern plains. As the massive low-pressure system developed there Thursday and brought heavy snow here Friday, the dust came along for the ride. As the snow fell, the dust came with it."
Lake
Superior water levels on the rise"In addition, Lake Superior was nine inches below chart datum in March. Precipitation within the Lake Superior basin was about two-thirds of the average precipitation in March, making March the third straight month in which precipitation was lower than average."
Online
math draws fans"According to Jonathan Kane, a math professor at UW-Whitewater who organizes the competition, 600 teams of students logged on to purplecomet.org last year to test their problem-solving skills on one of two test versions. About 440 teams so far have signed up for this year's competition, which runs this week."
Checking
for deadly germ is contested"A growing number of states, including some that border Wisconsin, are requiring hospitals to report infection rates and screen incoming patients for a "superbug " that kills 19,000 people a year. But an infection-reporting bill in Wisconsin didn 't go far, and hospital officials in the state are skeptical of mandatory reporting and testing. They say the methods are unfair or unproven."
Truth,
justice and merit selection"The 1846 constitutional convention and a second convention in 1848 produced a compromise by which judges would be elected but banned from holding other office before their terms expired. The ban satisfied concerns about judges making popular, though unjust, rulings to campaign for higher office."
Doyle:
Fix budget or face consequences"I don't want to give an absolute deadline, but you're talking about the next week or 10 days that they have to get this done or there are a lot of serious things that start happening," he told reporters during a brief question-and-answer session this morning."
"You can log on to wonders of Wisconsin dot com from now until April 24th and vote for your favorite tourist destination in the state. Categories range from favorite fishing destination to best family attractions. This year about half a dozen cities in the Northwoods are up for the top prize."
[Sign on and vote at “Wonders of Wisconsin” Hurley is in #10, best snowmobiling getaway. - Bob]
"A sustainable peace requires good-faith negotiations both within and between the countries with strong monitoring by the international community,” Feingold said. “I am pleased the Senate has sent such an important and timely message. The international community cannot ignore the complex cross-border problems that have resulted in great suffering."
"Feingold is requesting $5.1 billion for LIHEAP. The administration's budget request would only provide $2 billion, forcing states to either lower benefit amounts or assist fewer people.
LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low income families, disabled individuals, and senior citizens living on fixed incomes."
Kohl
Statement on Delta-Northwest Airline Deal"We will closely examine the merger announced today between Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines, a deal which is estimated to create the world's largest airline. A competitive airline industry is essential to both business and leisure travelers, and the health of the American economy."
14 April
Finlandia
students get Little Finland awards"The Finnish-American cultural group awarded $250 each to nursing senior Lindsay Rajala, Wakefield, and human services senior Sarah Skoviera, Hurley. The young women agreed that it's nice to know that there are people helping Finnish-American college students fund their education."
"High winds associated with last weekend’s storm had these breakers rolling in on the north end of Madeline Island in Lake Superior. Daryl Culligan captured this image."
Open
Fishing Season to Change?"This group is asking the DNR and the community to make the 22-mile stretch that runs from the Rhinelander Paper mill dam downstream to Kings dam consistent with other inland waters in Northern Wisconsin. This change would protect gamefish from harvest during March and April."
"Over the past three years, the Wisconsin Department of Health has received nearly 200 complaints related to thick smoke from the stoves that look like tiny sheds with a short smoke stack. Some local governments are passing laws regulating the boilers, essentially banning them. "
Wolf
hunting season possible"The congress, a citizens' advisory group to the Natural Resources Board, will ask outdoor enthusiasts at its statewide meetings whether the state should create a wolf hunting season. The question states that timber wolves have made a comeback in Wisconsin, they're no longer under federal protection, and the population will continue to grow."
Tax
fraud tips sought"The hotline - (877) 372-8317 or (877) FRAUD-17 - was set up on April 4 and is managed by the Legislative Audit Bureau. A form that can be mailed in with reports of potential fraud can also be downloaded from the auditor's Internet site."
Report:
Fishing brings $1 billion to Driftless Area"They found more than 125,000 anglers visit the region annually, pumping about $650 million directly into the local economy. That spending leads to about $465 million in indirect benefits as the money keeps circulating, the report said. Men and women of all ages, income and education levels fish in the area, the study found, but most are men with college, graduate or technical degrees from households that earn $60,000 to $80,000 annually."
Watchdog
board comes out swinging"But in a little-noticed move last month, the state Government Accountability Board voted to bar the practice, overturning a previous Ethics Board policy. Observers say the action on the obscure issue shows that the board is working just as intended in its first few months on the job -- as a nonpartisan independent government watchdog trying to restore public confidence in state government."
Attorney
General is right on satellite radio"The requested license transfer by XM-Sirius would eliminate competition in the satellite radio industry, and the combined XM-Sirius companies would be free to raise prices, stifle innovation and reduce program diversity," explains the attorney general in his letter to Martin."
Many
seek free tax help from Tax-Aide"Hundreds more people this year, many of them seniors who have not filed tax returns in years, took advantage of the AARP's Tax-Aide program and received free tax assistance. Tuesday is the tax deadline and also the last day to take advantage of the program. In order to qualify for the tax rebates that are a part of the federal economic stimulus package, you must have filed a tax return. This includes seniors who live on Social Security income and do not usually need to file."
Governor
Doyle Encourages Students to Sign Wisconsin Covenant “The Covenant is a promise that if students work hard and live up to their end of the bargain, I’ll make sure that the state does our part. We’ll make sure students have a place in higher education, and a financial aid package based on their families’ financial needs.”
Governor
Doyle Announces $100 Million in Affordable Housing Tax Credits
“Affordable housing – whether single-family homes or apartment complexes – is integral to a healthy economy,” Governor Doyle said. “These tax credits will provide working families, seniors, and the disabled with affordable housing options."
12&13 April
Airport
officials await word from Great Lakes Airlines"The Ironwood area is without air service, and there's no writing in the sky that an agreement between Great Lakes Airlines and the U.S. Department of Transportation is close to being finalized. Skyway Airlines, operating as Midwest Connect, pulled its essential air service to the Gogebic-Iron County Airport last Saturday."
Jauch
to discuss Great Lakes Water Compact "Sen. Bob Jauch, D-Poplar, will host two press conferences on Monday to discuss the announcement of the historic bi-partisan Great Lakes Water Compact agreement. They are scheduled from 11:15 a.m. to noon in the Rothwell Student Center at the University of Wisconsin-Superior campus, and 3 p.m. in Alvord Theatre at Northland College in Ashland."
Wisconsin's
martens need heavy snow, research shows"Research conducted by a Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist indicates for the reintroduced American marten to survive in Wisconsin, the species seems to need an annual dose of heavy snowfall, something that has been absent from the Northland for a number of years."
Midgets
seek more success "The Hurley Midgets baseball team is looking to repeat a trip to the WIAA Division 4 State Tournament this year. "Our ultimate goal is to get back," coach Aaron Bender said. "We lost key players from last year, two very good pitchers, hitters and fielders and they helped us get there.""
Info
Ironwood
and Hurley Natives Earn GCC Hoop Honors"Hurley's Mike Swartz is the other All Region pick. He scored almost 18 points per contest and collected seven rebounds. On the women's side Lady Samsons Most Valuable Player Jaclyn Aijala of Hurley was an easy All Region choice. She scored 21 points, had three and a half steals and snagged nearly five rebounds per game."
Kames
was 'Chicken Dance' king"As for that "Chicken Dance," even a self-promoter like Kames couldn't quite believe how it caught on ... "This stupid little thing, it's infectious," Kames said, speaking in 1995. "It has only two chords, it doesn't even change for the bridge. It implants the melody in people's minds - it just sticks in there. That's gotta be the secret.""
Another
state software project runs into snags"State budget woes will hold up the implementation of a $150 million accounting system for at least a year, making it the latest in a string of technology projects to face delays. The state has spent $11 million on the Integrated Business Information System to buy software and train workers."
State
delays $150 million computer project"It was the latest setback for the troubled Accountability, Consolidation and Efficiency initiative, a program that was meant to save taxpayers money but which has already seen four other projects scrapped or overhauled. The computer project, known as the Integrated Business Information System, is a vastly complicated attempt to save money and better manage the state's business by replacing roughly 100 accounting and other software programs across state agencies."
Randi
Rhodes quits Air America"Rhodes' lawyer, Robert Gaulin, said the company had told the host she couldn't begin broadcasting again unless she made contract concessions. "Their actions caused the contract to terminate. They refused to give her her microphone back and put her on the air," he said. "It was a real shame. She was ready, willing and able to go to work.""
[It's a good station to stream while the range is suffering thru the known prevaricator, Bill OhReally, on the local AM station. - Bob]
State:
E-file to make Tax Day deadline"Although about 2.5 million taxpayers had filed by Friday, about 500,000 remained to meet Tuesday's deadline. Revenue Secretary Roger Ervin urged those taxpayers to file electronically, saying it improves returns' accuracy and speeds up refunds."
Column:
Stupid and ignorant are different"I heard Jacoby on a recent appearance on Wisconsin Public Radio, describing the incident that prompted her book. She overheard two young businessmen discussing how the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, were very much like Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor, one explained, was when the Vietnamese bombed America, beginning the Vietnam War."
Turley:
White House Torture Planning Was Like a ‘Meeting of the Bada Bing Club’
- Pensito Review"Late Friday afternoon, George Bush confirmed to ABC News that Cheney, Rice and the other officials — including then Sec. of State Colin Powell, then Attorney Gen. John Ashcroft, then Sec. of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, then CIA Director George Tenet and their aides — were working at his behest. This new development — the president’s admission that he commissioned alleged war crimes — is being ignored in the media today (Saturday)."
11 April
Obey
BLASTS ADMINISTRATION’S POSITION ON IRAQ“That means that at least the first two years of the next administration will be consumed by cleaning up this god awful mess. That will cost at least two hundred billion dollars; and it will mean that for more than two years there will be no money for healthcare, there will be no money to make major repairs on our own economy and our own national infrastructure."
Say
it ain't 'snow' "A winter storm warning is in effect for Gogebic and Ontonagon counties in Michigan and Iron County in Wisconsin. The wind won't quite be strong enough on the Gogebic Range for the blizzard conditions other areas will see, said Tom Green, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Negaunee Township. A sustained wind of 20 to 25 mph is possible here with gusts to 30 possible, he said."
Painters sought to renew Silver Street bridge mural"The goal is to have the bridge painted by Memorial Day, May 26, according to teachers Michelle Santini and Patti Bertagnoli, who addressed the city council this week. "The more we can make this a community project, the better," Santini said. "We want people to help start getting the bridge ready. We don't want this to carry through the summer months.""
Copper
Peak eyes upgrades to bring back ski flying "Copper Peak Inc. president Charlie Supercynski said it is possible that an international meet could be held as early as 2010 if the goals the board has set are accomplished this summer season. Hill upgrades are necessary for the hill to be sanctioned by the FIS, the international governing-body for ski competition."
"I'll be coaching one of the Division 4 teams," said Kivisto, who recently heard of the honor by email. "It took me by surprise. I've never been selected before. It's pretty exciting to be chosen. It's definitely an honor."
"Four MAC students of Kaju Kempo Karate recently earned new belts: Noah Terzano, Purple Belt; Robert Forslund, Blue/Black Belt; and Troy Harju and Jordan Forslund, Green Belt."
"Area horse lovers have teamed up together to put on the 1st Gogebic-Iron County Horse Jamboree this Saturday at the Kimball Town Hall, just off US 2 in Hurley. The Jamboree is featuring a speaker on equine massage therapy, a used tack and riding apparel sale, a model horse show, model horse swap and more."
Pat
O'Donnell Civic Center Has New Website"Civic Center Manager Jim Sain notified the Chronicle that the Center now has a new website. The new site will keep people up-to-date on activities at the Center. Coming soon, for example, are in-line hockey and a radio controlled raceway."
Bipartisan
housing bill wins Senate approval"In voting for the measure, Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Herb Kohl called it a step in the right direction, but he added, "(W)e must consider revising lending standards to protect future homebuyers, increasing our affordable rental-housing stock and ensuring that we create sound fiscal policies that promote the economic well-being of each and every American.""
"The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for Douglas, Bayfield and Ashland counties, where up to a foot of snow was expected to fall by Friday night. "Our moods are not good," McGillis said. "The grass was just starting to green up.""
Ban
on downer cattle in food supply could cost dairy farmers"Dairy farmers sell their cows for slaughter - known as "culled cows" - once the animals are no longer productive. Downer cattle tend to be older dairy cows rather than younger beef cattle because of the health problems associated with aging. Dairy farmers get several hundred dollars for each cow they sell for slaughter."
State
efficiency program quietly ditched; audit planned"Dan Schooff, the deputy secretary of the Department of Administration, acknowledged the ACE program fell short of its goals but said an audit was unneeded. He said the program ought to be judged on its contribution to $35.5 million in belt-tightening measures and $36 million in real estate sales called for by lawmakers as part of the 2005-07 budget."
Finally,
a Great Lakes Compact"The legislation will be a compromise measure, but it embraces most of what is right about the compact initiative. That's enough for Doyle, and he is essentially correct when he says that, despite Gunderson's meddlesome tinkering, the compact is not too compromised to be positive and functional for Wisconsin and other Great Lakes states."
Another
meeting fails as tensions continue to mount in LdF"LaBarge then recruited 13 others to assist with his mission to instill peace within the council room. Some, however, didn't see it that way. "It's intimidation and it's coming straight from Victoria Doud herself," said board member Tom Maulson. "It brings back memories of Wounded Knee in Pine Ridge. I guess Vicki has her own personal 'goon squad' after us now.""
Wolves
Kill Northwoods Family's Dog"But the wolves didn't see Teddy as a harmless Cocker Spaniel. According to the DNR, often times wolves see dogs as a threat. Adrian Wydeven, a mammal ecologist with the Wisconsin DNR, says, "They're perceiving domestic dogs in the same way they're perceiving coyotes and strange wolves entering their territory. So it's part of the normal canide behavior.""
- "NO SCIENCE DEBATE: CANDIDATES WILL DEBATE JESUS.
- QI: "I DON’T KNOW HOW, BUT ACUPUNCTURE WORKS."
- WHY NOW? IT’S NOT JUST HAPPENING AT MARYLAND."
KOHL
STATEMENT ON SENATE HOUSING STIMULUS BILL"In addition, we must consider revising lending standards to protect future homebuyers, increasing our affordable rental housing stock and ensuring that we create sound fiscal policies that promote the economic well being of each and every American."
KOHL
STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT'S REMARKS ON IRAQ"For military families with sons and daughters serving in Iraq, President Bush offered some relief that tours of duty for the troops will be reduced to 12 months. But unfortunately, the President today missed yet another opportunity to signal a change in direction in Iraq by continuing his call for an open-ended US commitment."
Drug
Companies to Reveal Grant Practices - The Associated Press"Grassley and Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., have introduced legislation that would require drug and device makers to disclose anything of value given to physicians, such as payments, gifts or travel. The disclosure of medical education grants is an extension of that concept. Last year, the staff for the Senate Finance Committee issued a report that said the drug industry may be using the "medical education industry to deliver favorable messages about off-label uses that the drug companies cannot legally deliver on their own.""
Since the networks often refuse their advertising, Move-On depends on free promulgation of this kind of material. Love them or hate them, you really should check out their stuff before deciding.
10 April
Hurley
Police Department to handle DMV services "The computer system in the police department office is ready to go and the DMV will come to Hurley to offer training at no cost to the city. Currently, the DMV offers customer services in Hurley just one Wednesday per month, but that's only for driver's license testing and not for registrations, Erspamer said Wednesday."
On
split vote, Hurley council moves ahead with project "On a 3-2 vote, the Hurley City Council decided Tuesday to proceed with a $1,692,824 sewer-water improvement project this summer. A-1 Excavating, of Bloomer, the company that also must finish the 2007 project in the city, was the low bidder for 15 blocks of sewer, water and roadway reconstruction and 24 blocks of sanitary sewer rehabilitation."
Simmons
found guilty in 2007 vehicular death"Alan Michael Simmons, 21, of Ironwood was found guilty Wednesday of a felony count of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle stemming from the March 22, 2007 vehicular death of Cody Southwell, 18, of Ironwood."
Winter
lingers "A winter storm watch is in effect for tonight through Saturday night with up to a foot of heavy, wet snow possible. Wind may also be an issue. "It could be a little difficult getting around," said Tom Green, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Negaunee Township."
Doyle
calls special session for Great Lakes Compact"Under the compromise, one governor could still veto any request to pull water. Gunderson, who helped lead the compromise negotiations, said at Doyle’s news conference that lawmakers realized as they studied the compact they didn’t want to alter it so drastically other states would have to re-ratify it. Other changes should ensure cities can get water when they need it, Gunderson said, but he didn’t elaborate."
"The gas tank is not the only place consumers are feeling the bite of increasing petroleum product prices — the cost of virtually everything connected with oil has been increasing. That includes the price of electricity produced from generators powered by gas or oil-fired boilers."
Great
Lakes deal announced"Gov. Jim Doyle announced that a compromise had been reached among Wisconsin legislators and that he would convene a special legislative session next week to adopt the new set of rules restricting water diversions from the Great Lakes."
Many
who got mumps had vaccine, study says"Most of the college students who got the mumps in an outbreak in 2006 had received the recommended two vaccine shots, according to a study that raises questions about whether a new vaccine or another booster shot is needed."
Wis.
attorney general asks FCC to block satellite radio merger"Van Hollen says in a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and Wisconsin's congressional delegation that it's now up to the FCC to stop the merger. He says the deal would eliminate competition in the satellite radio industry, result in higher prices for services and reduce the channels available to rural Wisconsin listeners."
Ohio
senator offers way to end his opposition to Great Lakes plan"The Ohio state senator who has been blocking a multistate agreement to prevent Great Lakes water from being diverted to parched states said he'll drop his opposition under one condition. Sen. Tim Grendell said Wednesday he wants Ohio voters first to amend the state constitution to prevent privately owned ground water from transferring to public hands - something he believes the Great Lakes plan, as currently written, would allow."
Hold
GOP to McCain standard"McCain should be taken at his word. And the senator's words should form the answer to any Republican -- or Democratic -- politician who seeks to fuzz the margins of the torture debate. In particular, his words should be the response to any attempt by the Republican Party or its media echo chamber to suggest that Democratic contenders are "soft on terrorism"..."
Raw
demand More unpasteurized milk sold, despite bans"Curling claims aside, dairy farmers say demand for unpasteurized, or raw, milk is growing, spurred by concern about the chemicals, hormones and drugs used in traditional dairy farming, and interest in organic and locally grown foods. With prices topping $5 per gallon, more dairies are selling raw milk -- and finding themselves at odds with public health officials."
Workers
worry over retirement savings"The Employee Benefit Research Institute's annual survey, released today, showed the weakest worker confidence in seven years with just 61 percent saying they were "very confident" or "somewhat confident" of having enough money for retirement. That was down from 70 percent in 2007 and the poorest showing since 63 percent in 2001, when the economy was in recession."
Democratic
leaders plead with Bush not to hand off war to next ... - The
Reporter - Fond du Lac,WI“Rather than calling on the president to redeploy our troops from Iraq, it endorses a plan put forward by General Petraeus that could entail leaving tens of thousands of U.S. troops in Iraq indefinitely,” Feingold said. “This would be dangerous for our troops, further the perception that we are occupying Iraq, provoke instability in the country and the region, and keep us from focusing on the global al Qaeda threat."
KOHL
STATEMENT ON GOOGLE-YAHOO TEST PARTNERSHIP""We will be following closely the results of the short-term test alliance between Yahoo! and Google. Should there be moves to make this agreement permanent, we will examine it closely in the Antitrust Subcommittee to ensure that it does not harm competition."
SENS.
MARTINEZ, KOHL UNVEIL FAIRNESS IN NURSING HOME ARBITRATION ACT"Nursing home residents, one of our nation's most vulnerable populations, must not lose their right to hold nursing homes accountable in the event of abuse or neglect," Senator Kohl said.
Train
whistles a welcome sound - Chetek Alert - WI,"Now, with the help of money earmarked by Rep. Dave Obey, the county is preparing to fully renovate the rail line from Chetek to Rice Lake and eventually from Cameron to Barron. This turn of events has sparked a renaissance in local businesses on the line, including the continued growth of Jennie-O Turkey Store and expansion of Badger State Recovery. There is hope again for the Barron County economy, due to the entrepreneurial spirit of Wisconsin Northern and the wisdom of county officials."
Senate
Vote Ratings Not All They’re Cracked Up to Be - American
Enterprise Institute"From the beginning of the presidential campaign through last week, there had been 163 references in Nexis to Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) being the most liberal Member of the Senate ... To anyone who has spent more than a nanosecond around the Senate and has seen, met or watched Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) or Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), among others, this rating is pretty ridiculous--as was the equally ballyhooed National Journal ranking of John Kerry (D-Mass.) as the most liberal Senator in 2004."
09 April
Senator
Jauch Applauds Agreement to Protect the Great Lakes"The water compact agreement restores the mantel of environmental leadership to Wisconsin, the State of Gaylord Nelson, Aldo Leopold and John Muir. Protecting the Great Lakes is not only a sensible and necessary public policy but the legislation lives up to their inspirational leadership by protecting the resources that sustain us."
Hurley
council grants beer garden permit "A beer garden permit was granted to tavern owner Mike Fontecchio on Tuesday after the Hurley City Council approved amendments to its code of ordinances. Council members agreed the beer garden at 217 Silver St. may not be used after 11 p.m. Other changes in the ordinance allow the council to waive a 100-foot restriction regarding nearby residences and give the council control over the design of the garden and materials."
Plea
agreement reached in 2007 Iron County vehicular homicide "Remanded to the Iron County Jail on April 10, 2007, Simmons was charged with felony counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle; homicide by vehicle -use of a controlled substance; homicide by use of a vehicle with a prohibited alcohol concentration; two counts of injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle; two counts of injury by use of a vehicle-controlled substance; and two counts of injury by use of a vehicle with a PAC; and one count of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle."
Carrier
service still 'up in the air' "Negotiations between airlines continue in an effort to return air service to the Gogebic-Iron County Airport. Local air service ended Saturday when Skyway Airlines, operating as Midwest Connect, pulled its EAS to the airport. Midwest Airlines is the parent company."
"ince their days as ragtag Northland students, Lang and his performing partner — Jason Love "The Madman of Magic" Schneider — have been shocking audiences with magic routines that incorporate fire eating, sleight-of-hand and audience involvement."
"About 90 people came together Tuesday in Ashland to discuss some of the issues surrounding transportation fuels like ethanol and biodiesel, as well biomass fuel used to power operations including the Flambeau River mill in Park Falls, on down to No. 2 Septic in Ashland."
Former
judges resign from panel" Government Accountability Board Chairman David Deininger of Monroe and board member James Mohr of Eagle River resigned from their judgeships before they started serving on the board. But Van Hollen said they are not qualified to serve because a little-known section of the state constitution says that judges can hold no other "office of public trust . . . during the term for which elected.""
Possible
breakthrough on Great Lakes compact"Doyle has urged the Legislature to approve the compact, but Gunderson and other Assembly Republicans have blocked it. They are concerned about a provision that allows any Great Lakes governor to block any request to pull water from any of the lakes."
Court:
Customers must cooperate to benefit from Wis. Lemon Law"The law requires manufacturers to give refunds or replacement vehicles to customers who buy lemons within 30 days. But the District 2 Court of Appeals says customers must work with manufacturers toward a solution to be entitled to those remedies. It is the first time a court has defined a customer's "good faith obligations" under the law."
DNR
proposes stricter
new rules to regulate invasive species"The rules being written by the DNR would create legal classifications of such invasive species, establish rules for sale and transportation of the non-native plants and animals, and prescribe fines and penalties for violating the law. The monk parrot, for example, would be regulated as a prohibited species, meaning it couldn't be sold or transported into or within the state without the threat of penalty. Less strict rules would govern the sale and transport of species listed as restricted."
Illinois'
newest congressman takes uncommon path to Capitol"Now, as Illinois' newest congressman, the Harvard-educated physicist hopes the methodical approach he used to solve problems in the lab will work for him in Washington. "I think that he gets real satisfaction out of looking at very complex issues and trying to make sense out of them," said his brother Fred Foster."
Dave
Zweifel: Greedy capitalists show no shame"Yet the industry that was responsible for what has become the biggest economic turndown since the Great Depression is lobbying Congress to go soft on new regulations. And they are getting a sympathetic ear in the White House. As the New York Times said in an editorial last week, "It's probably useless to hope for anything better from Bush administration officials. They are complicit in the credit crisis because the anti-regulatory ethos and practices of the administration fostered the conditions for the debacle.""
69%
back smoking ban"Sixty-nine percent of Wisconsinites responding said they favored statewide smoke-free laws, including bans in bars and restaurants. That's an increase of five percentage points since the poll last had been conducted in March 2007. Moreover, 78 percent of respondents, including 70 percent who oppose such legislation, believe it could pass soon."
What
Next? Storm Brings Heavy Snow, Downpours"What's next? The National Weather Service says another, heavier round of precipitation moving in by Thursday night would raise the threat of
significant flooding of rivers in the south, not to mention another coating of heavy snow for the north and northwest."
Clean
Water Restoraction Act of 2007"Such Congressional action is needed in response to recent divisive and confusing Supreme Court decisions that have called into question clean water protections for over half the stream miles in the lower 48 states and the drinking water protections for 110 million Americans."
Feingold
Pushes Senate
to Fully Support Vital Crime-Fighting Program"“Over the years I’ve heard again and again from police chiefs, sheriffs, and others from the law enforcement community in Wisconsin about the importance of COPS grants,” Feingold said. “These folks are unwavering in their position that COPS grants are absolutely vital for protecting their communities day in and day out.”"
08 April
Airport
board in holding pattern "Late last week, Adams prepared a request for an administrative law judge hearing with the U.S. DOT, asking for an expedited hearing and that subpoenas be issued to the chief executive officers of Skyway Airlines, Midwest Airlines, and Great Lakes Airlines. Great Lakes and Skyway have been in negotiations over the purchase/sale or sub-letting of Skyway's present fleet of 19-passenger airplanes"
Lame-duck
council to tackle long agenda"A city ordinance addresses beer gardens, including a requirement that the outdoor area be no more than 50 percent of the tavern's total square feet. Fontecchio's tavern is about 2,600 square feet and his initial plans called for a beer garden bigger than 1,300 feet, although he said he'd be willing to make it smaller."
Trial
to open Thursday" After spending the last year in jail, Alan Michael Simmons, 21, of Ironwood, will face 10 felony counts this week stemming from the March 22, 2007, vehicular death of Cody Southwell, 18, of Ironwood."
Copper
Peak Hill Climb moved back""The event's success is also built around the fantastic help of our volunteers. From the hill workers to the gate workers to those handling parking and security, we need that help. It's difficult getting the help we need when windchills are way below zero," Supercynski said."
Appeals
court sides with Bayfield County on right-of-way issue"If the county has the interest (in the property) it claims to have, that interest wasn't destroyed by the document the government filed (before Shabaz ruled)," said Richard Nordeng, the county's attorney in the case. The Bayfield County Board has wanted to make a snowmobile trail from the old Bayfield branch of the former Chicago-Northwestern right-of-way in southern Bayfield County, some of which is located along U.S. 63."
City
of Ashland receives EPA grant to assess hazardous sites"The grant will allow the city to conduct investigations at sites such as the Clarkson Coal Dock, east of the Soo Line Oredock, and along Beaser Avenue to determine the extent of any contamination and develop remedial action plans to clean them up, city building inspector Bob Miller said."
"It took about an hour and five minutes to cross from Bayfield to the island. Since the ice had deteriorated considerably this past week and there was open water as they approached Madeline Island, the crossing was relatively easy."
'Worst'
rank doesn't belong to kids alone"There's always plenty of blame to go around when things get this dismal. I'm talking teachers, principals, politicians, business leaders, and of course, the parents of all those low-achieving students. But don't worry about blaming the kids. They already got theirs in that screaming headline."
Doyle
OKs aid for virtual schools"The new law guarantees the online schools can open this fall. Their future was in doubt after an appeals court ruled in December that one school - the Wisconsin Virtual Academy run by the Northern Ozaukee School District - did not qualify for state aid of $5,845 per student."
Milwaukee
reporter wins Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting"Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Dave Umhoefer won a Pulitzer Prize on Monday, the first time the newspaper has been awarded journalism's top honor since Milwaukee's two daily papers were combined in 1995. Umhoefer won in the category of Local Reporting for his investigative report that detailed pension deals for county workers."
States'
crackdowns on immigration slow"But this year, their actions have been measured or curtailed by their governors or special interest groups, especially compared to recent years, when state lawmakers presented a flurry of new ideas and passed an unprecedented number of immigration-related laws. In Indiana, Kentucky and Nebraska, get-tough proposals died in key committees. Ideas on the table included measures to shutter businesses that hired undocumented immigrants, to enlist state police in federal immigration enforcement efforts and to cut off public benefits to illegal immigrants."
John
Nichols: Then and now, Feingold right on Tibet"Feingold pulls no punches when it comes to questions about China's ill treatment of Tibet, the nation it occupied in the 1950s and has held captive ever since. Perhaps this is because Feingold is no newcomer to this issue."
State
hospitals rank No. 2 in U.S."Wisconsin hospitals ranked second behind Minnesota and showed improvement in measurements of preventive care and treatment of short-term illnesses and chronic diseases. Care provided by hospitals was rated strongly, too, according to the state snapshots released by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality."
Retire
ratty Old Glories this spring"Wisconsin's elements have taken their toll on American flags displayed throughout central Wisconsin, too. A drive down any street reveals flags that are worse for wear ... According to the Flag Code, flags should be cleaned and mended when necessary and destroyed by burning in a dignified manner when they are so worn they no longer are fitting symbols of our country."
Shippers
Taking Steps to Stop the Spread of VHS "The group says freighters will try to take on ballast water in deep water away from shore and will re-circulate ballast water in their tanks to chop up any fish it may contain. Wisconsin state fisheries official Mike Staggs says the measures could help but says ballast water still could contribute to the spread of disease and exotic species."
Wireless
Internet Access"The reason parts of the frequency were sold to companies like AT & T and Verizon is because in 2009 everyone will begin broadcasting the digital signal. AT & T and Verizon are now developing a wireless network that would be just as fast as broadband is now. Snow says, "One thing special about that range is that particular range is because it's a low frequency it has a great deal of wireless range or wireless penetration." "
Feingold
Supports More
Funding for Nurses"In a bipartisan letter to Senate appropriators, Feingold is requesting $200 million for the NWD programs after the administration proposed a $46.2 million budget cut for an already stressed workforce. NWD programs are the primary source of federal funding for nursing education. These programs are vital to ensuring registered nurses are ready to practice in rural, urban, and underserved communities."
"“LIHEAP funding not only helps families cope with higher energy prices, it also improves children’s health and well-being by helping to ensure that their homes are properly heated and cooled. We must provide energy assistance for families in need so no parents have to make the difficult decision between heating their home and feeding their family.”"
EXECUTIVE
ORDER # 245"WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was one of our Nation’s most prominent leaders, demonstrating true courage during the American Civil War, one of the greatest crises in our Nation’s history; and..."
07 April
Events
planned to observe Sex Assault Awareness Month "There will be sessions from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. at the Iron County Courthouse boardroom; and an evening session from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Gogebic Community College in Ironwood."
Mellen
teacher gets grant for field trip "Kimberly Dwyer, accounting teacher at Mellen High School in Mellen, has been awarded a 2008 Accounting Careers Awareness Grant in the amount of $2,000 from the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants Educational Foundation, Inc. Dwyer was one of 21 teachers to receive a grant."
Conservation
scholarships offered "The Iron County Land Conservation Department has announced scholarships for teachers and students at Hurley and Mercer, Wis., schools. A $1,000 student scholarship will be awarded to a student who plans to study natural resources, or a science-related field at a 2- or 4-year college in the fall."
Local
farmers bring alternative agriculture , non-traditional products to Farm
Show"For years it has been a rite of spring to head out to the Bay Area Civic Center and partake in the "All Wisconsin" omelet cooked on a huge 54-inch frying pan, 50 pounds at a time and capable of feeding 100 people. The monster egg meals come courtesy of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, and the proceeds from the breakfast go to assist 4-H and FFA activities."
He
was right, only to be wronged""We cannot," he said, "accuse a guest of stealing." Even a 16-year-old guest with a big bottle of tequila. Even if the father of the girl, he says, appreciated what he did. And even if everyone who fears sharing the road with a high-schooler drunk on tequila would like to mail Dean Babcock a giant thank-you note right now."
So
much snow, but little help for lakes"Even though Milwaukee was hit by near-historic levels of snow this winter, the effect of so much moisture will diminish greatly in the months to come. Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are expected to remain 18 to 21 inches below their normal long-term averages this summer, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Postal
workers attacked by wild turkeys"About five to 10 of the birds have been pecking at the postal workers as they make their rounds, and some of the birds have attacked the letter carriers with the sharp spurs on their legs. One of the birds went through the open door of a mail truck and scratched the driver."
""We hear that America is a conservative country, that we are a cautious people, that we are a fearful people, that we march in lockstep to the corporate order," he said. "That is not so. We are a bunch of mutts and mavericks. That is who built America.""
Voters
authorize adding $1 to tuition for Iraqi students"Students voted for the Iraqi Student Project referendum with 1,713 in approval and 994 in opposition of adding a dollar to student costs to offset the tuition of five Iraqi students brought to study at the University of Wisconsin."
Vilas
COA committee prayer debate a constructive endeavor"After a long and sometimes emotional debate, the nutrition subcommittee voted 7-3 to recommend a policy proposal to the Commission on Aging board that would prohibit senior nutrition meal site managers from leading or organizing any type of prayer. Under the policy proposal, individual site participants would be allowed to say a voluntary individual prayer, either audibly or silently, but group prayer like that offered before meals at the Boulder Junction senior nutrition meal site would be banned."
""With its suppression of the Tibetan protests, China continues to compound its abysmal record on human rights." So says Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold, speaking with a firmness that has been missing from most official U.S. pronouncements regarding the Chinese government's brutal pre-Olympics crackdown on Tibet. "
“I believe government works best when leaders have a chance to get to know people one on one, and hear directly from the people we serve,” Governor Doyle said. “Waukesha County is a vital part of the state and ‘Capital Days’ is a great opportunity to see what makes this region unique, meet with hardworking families and community leaders, and take their ideas and concerns back to Madison.”
Republican
OffendersThere may well be a similar site for Democratic Offenders or Libertarian Offenders, but I have not found it. And even high profile cases like NY Governor Spitzer and LA congress critter Jefferson, the sheer number here is apalling. The real point is, from pResident down to dog catcher, he who accepts a public trust should be behaving better, not worse, than the average Joe. This is just apalling.- Bob
05&06 April
Airport
board delays legal action in airline stalemate "Gogebic County Prosecutor Richard Adams wants to take legal action to keep Skyway Airlines' essential air service operating at the Gogebic-Iron County Airport until another carrier is in place. But, the airport board wants to wait until Monday to give Adams the OK. The board is hoping ongoing negotiations will resolve the issue."
Midgettes
prepare for season "Indianhead Conference, regional and sectional champions. WIAA Division 4 state runner-up. The Hurley Midgettes can't wait to get back. Hurley is relying on experience as the Midgettes only lost three players from last year's softball team, two to graduation and one to track."
Wisconsin
fish disease rules revised by NRB "Under revised rules that took effect Friday, anglers can use leftover purchased minnows on the same water body at a later date. If they want to use them on another lake or river, they must make sure the minnows have not been exposed to any fish or water from the lake or river they'd been fishing."
GCC
to host Living with Grief conference April 16""Living With Grief: Children and Adolescents," will be offered on Wednesday, April 16, from 12:15 to 3:30 p.m. at Gogebic Community College in Ironwood. It is the 15th year the teleconference will be hosted by Regional Hospice and the University of Wisconsin-Extension, Iron County."
Fishing
guide, trapper at home in woods, on water "In old black-and-white photos, the sun shines on Mitch Babic. Shirtless, eyes focused, Babic pulls back on the string of a bow. Gazing straight at the camera, he sits in a canoe gripping a paddle in both hands. Looking back over one shoulder, he rests a flannel-shirt clad arm on the wheel of a speed boat. A life on the water and in the woods toned Babic's muscles and shaped his outlook."
La
Pointe windsled rescues ice fishermen"Within a few minutes, the windsled arrived on scene and found one man still in the water while another was precariously perched on an ice floe, said Town of La Pointe Fire Chief Gary Flores. The two were brought back to the mainland where an awaiting Ashland Ambulance took Schnell to Memorial Medical Center in Ashland for treatment of hypothermia. Kavajecz declined treatment. The four-wheelers the men had been driving on their ice fishing excursion sank to the bottom, Flores said."
Former
NPS directors oppose guns in national parks‘‘These rules, promulgated during the Reagan administration, are essential to park rangers in carrying out their duties of protecting park resources and wildlife, and in assuring the safety of visitors to the parks,’’ the letter said. ‘‘In all our years, we experienced very few instances in which this limited regulation created confusion or resistance.’’
Ashland
cartoonist embarks on illustration career"Now Glovsky can add "satirical cartoonist" to his list of literary endeavors.
He recently collaborated with a Hayward couple, Eric and Joan Tamm, to produce "The Oficial G.W. Bush Coloring and (in) Activity Book: 8 Sad Years Summed up in 150 Pages.""
Rep.
Boyle calls it quits after 22 years"He was among the founders of northern Wisconsin’s annual grassroots “Superior Days” lobbying effort and helped organize the Wisconsin Coalition for Peace and Justice when the President George H.W. Bush went to war with Iraq."
High
court victory may give bench new bent"Some court observers said Gableman's presence on the court could change its balance - and it could remain that way for years to come because of the way the election calendar falls."
Republicans,
pink pig rail against pork"The book calls attention to Democratic U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl's $7.8 million for 10 agriculture projects. Kohl's response: "These are examples of investments that make a difference in our state and in people's lives.""
Report
brings 8-lane plan closer"Plans to expand 35 miles of I-94 from six lanes to eight between Milwaukee and Illinois moved closer to final approval Friday with a report that declared the project would comply with federal environmental laws."
Trolling
for bad lawyers isn't easy"I allude to the apparent fact that you'd practically have to commit murder, and make the justices march over the rotting carcass, to have your law license permanently taken away around here. This has long been one of the easiest states in the country to get a law license. It also, now, has to be one of the hardest in which to permanently lose one."
State
seeks to reprimand Wis. lawmaker for role in wife's race"Rep. Fred Kessler, a Milwaukee Democrat who is a lawyer and a former judge, violated rules governing attorneys' behavior by engaging in conduct involving "dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation," the Office of Lawyer Regulation alleged ... "In soliciting Moser to file a complaint against Schudson with the Commission, Kessler acted with intent to conceal his identity, as the campaign manager for a competing judicial candidate, as the true source of the complaint giving impetus to the complaint," the complaint said."
Doyle
asks for federal aid for 4 counties hit by record snow"Gov. Jim Doyle asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide the relief for Kenosha, Racine, Waukesha and Lafayette counties because of their costs for emergency response to the storm of Feb. 5 and 6 ... Federal assistance was granted last month for Dane, Dodge, Green, Jefferson, Milwaukee, Rock, Walworth and Washington counties. More than 200 local governments have applied for federal assistance."
Security
guard says Target Corp fired him for stopping shoplifter"The manager told him he should have approached the girl and asked if he could help her find something, Babcock said. Only certain supervisors can stop suspected shoplifters, a step that security guards aren't empowered to take. "I could not ask her to put the alcohol back," Babcock said. "I could not accuse a guest of stealing." The store had no one on duty that day who had the authority to stop a suspected shoplifter, he said. Babcock was briefly suspended, and was then fired on March 25."
Kind,
Ryan are wrong"Rep. Ron Kind, who has worked with East Coast think tanks to undermine the safety net for working farmers in Wisconsin throughout the current farm bill fight, is playing a dangerous game when he seeks to pit supporters of conservation programs against supporters of permanent agricultural disaster assistance. Both conservation and disaster assistance funding needs to be in the farm bill."
"Wisconsin Public Service Corp. customers on average will pay about $6 more a month for electricity next year and an additional $2 a month for natural gas if the state's Public Service Commission approves the utility's requested rate increase."
Wisconsin
law blocks Iraq-bound soldier from marrying fiancee"A state lawmaker says he will propose legislation to modernize the marriage law, such as by allowing one partner to appear at the ceremony via live video on the Internet. “Support the troops, support the troops, support the troops, that’s what they say,” state Rep. Gary Sherman, D-Port Wing, said Friday. “But when it comes to actually doing something tangible to support the troops, there is always these road blocks.”"
[Sherman is YOUR REP ... it's time to call the little Cupid at (888) 534-0074 and tell him that it is a good thing that he seeks to do. - Bob]
Scientists
From Around the World Visit Rhinelander "They're here for the Facing the Future Conference. Scientists say climate change is something that everyone in the world is being effected by, and the Aspen FACE site in Harshaw, just outside of Rhinelander, studies the effects of global warming on forest trees. So 100 scientists are in Rhinelander to compare their findings with researchers from the Harshaw experiment."
Lac
Du Flambeau Tribal Members Protest "Tribal members in Lac Du Flambeau are scrutinizing the tribe's management of money, and today those members are saying they're doing everything they can to get the attention of the council. A group of people started a fire today that they plan to keep burning until the tribal council talks to them about their handling of money. They say the goal of the fire is to get the council to talk to them and discuss their financial concerns."
Final
Flight For Midwest Connect Takes Off "Joe Brauer, the Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport Director, says "Hopefully what will end up happening is we'll get this contract. We're in negotiation with Great Lakes and it will nail between Midwest and Great Lakes and then we can start servicing and resume for the heavy summer months.""
Statement
of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold on the Letter to President Bush from
Democratic Leaders Regarding Iraq“I am deeply disappointed with the letter sent by Democratic leaders to the President regarding Iraq. Rather than calling on the President to redeploy our troops from Iraq, it endorses a plan put forward by General Petraeus that could entail leaving tens of thousands of U.S. troops in Iraq indefinitely. This would be dangerous for our troops, further the perception that we are occupying Iraq, provoke instability in the country and the region, and keep us from focusing on the global al Qaeda threat."
“Members of Congress are important. Dave Obey is Chairman of the Appropriations Committee. One of the two planks of our legislative campaign is for more and better aid, poverty focused developmental assistance and foreign aid programs aimed at disease prevention, etc. Obey is influential in determining where money goes."
- LHC: A KNIGHT ERRANT TILTS AT HIGH-ENERGY WINDMILL.
- VOODOO MEDICINE: TREATING ACUPUNCTURE ADDICTION.
04 April
"The Iron County Finance Committee will meet on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 10:00 AM at the Iron County Courthouse, Hurley, Wisconsin. The meeting is open to the public per Chapter 19, Sub Chapter V, Wisconsin Statutes. (Open Meeting Law)"
"The Iron County Finance Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 08, 2008 at 6:00 PM at the Iron County Courthouse, Hurley, Wisconsin. The meeting is open to the public per Chapter 19, sub Chapter V, Wisconsin Statutes. (Open Meeting Law)"
[Notice: This is a separate and distinct meeting on a different date. - Bob]
Schellinger
resigns as emergency director "Iron County Sheriff's Department deputy Tom Schellinger has resigned as emergency government director, effective April 30. Schellinger took over the full-time duties of dispatcher-jailer with the sheriff's department on April 1, replacing Dave Morello, who retired."
"The facilities office in Chicago has been working with Bergl to address health and safety issues, Rask said. "Once the issues are taken care of, we will put a new postmaster in there." The new postmaster will work less than 40 hours each week, but the post office will be restored to full service, Rask said."
Loon
Dollar program in place in Mercer "Each Loon Dollar check is valid for 120 days from date of purchase and not redeemable for cash. Loon Dollars must be used for their entire value; no cash will be given back."
Lake
Superior drops more than usual in March"The lower levels are a result of a drier-than-normal winter across much of the Lake Superior basin. For example, Duluth is a foot below normal for snowfall this winter. Lake Superior now sits 11 inches below its long-term average for the beginning of April but is 6 inches above the level at this time last year."
Ice
breaking set for April 7-8 in Chequamegon Bay"On Monday and Tuesday, April 7 and 8, a U.S. Coast Guard ice breaker will break the ice in the south channel so the Madeline Island ferry can begin operations. The ice breaker will not disturb ice in the north or west channel and will not proceed north of Bayfield or the Madeline Island ferry dock. All ice fishermen are reminded to remove their ice shacks from this area. Recreational users of the ice should plan their activity carefully, and stay away from the south channel, as all of the ice in this area will be broken."
Abrahamson
plans for re-election run"The public, according to polls, perceives that money talks and they perceive, accurately or inaccurately, that justices become beholden," she said Thursday. "And perception is the problem." But Abrahamson said she believes the court has a good reputation and that she believes justices should continue to be elected instead of appointed."
Diabetes
up 27% in state since 2005"In addition, about 1 million adults in Wisconsin have pre-diabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not enough to be considered diabetes. Like diabetes, pre-diabetes can be harmful to the heart and blood vessels. The increase in diabetes incidence means that nearly 10% of Wisconsin adults have the disease, compared with 8% three years ago."
Lawmakers
extend VHS rules in Wisconsin"Regulations to slow the spread of VHS were set to expire Monday. But the Legislature's rules committee unanimously voted Wednesday to extend them."
DNR:
Two fewer earn-a-buck zones in Wisconsin in 2008"The DNR plans to present regulations to the Natural Resources Board this month that would remove eight zones in northwestern and central Wisconsin from the earn-a-buck program. The regulations would add six zones in southwestern Wisconsin, for an overall reduction of two."
Gap
between black, white scores widens in Wisconsin"A nationwide test measuring eighth-graders' writing ability shows Wisconsin's black students had the lowest average score in the nation. But the state's students overall did better than the national average and better than the last time the National Assessment of Educational Progress tests were given 10 years ago."
Study
links smoking bans to OWIs"The authors attribute that to people driving to places without a ban, and also to driving farther to find a place within a ban area that has an outdoor smoking accommodation, such as a patio. "The increased miles driven by drivers who wish to smoke and drink offsets any reduction in driving from smokers choosing to stay home after a ban, resulting in increased alcohol-related accidents," the study says."
Shaken
campus remains on alert"UW doubled the number of SAFEwalk escorts available immediately following Wednesday’s homicide and will continue to have staff available as long as the need is there. “As long as there’s an increased number of walks, we’ll make sure the increase is going on. At this point, it seems to be a week or two.”"
Feingold
Fights for American Workers“With a struggling economy and job losses nationwide, the federal government should be helping American workers through these difficult times, not cutting the job training programs many people depend on."
BEEF
RECALL sparks hearings, tightened inspections - American
Veterinary Medical Association - Schaumburg,IL"At a Feb. 28 hearing of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, chairman Herb Kohl demanded greater vigilance by the USDA at the nation's meat processing plants. "We must have tougher standards, round-the-clock surveillance, and stiffer penalties to ensure our meat inspection system protects Americans," Kohl said."
Lawmakers
face tough choices on transportation - Appleton Post Crescent"But Appropriations Committee chairman Dave Obey said he was concerned that the poor and working poor could be forced off the road by user fees like tolls. He also questioned whether such government-private sector operations benefit the private company's bottom line more than they benefit taxpayers. "When we talk about public-private partnerships, do me a favor and cut through the bull gravy," Obey, D-Wausau, said."
EXECUTIVE
ORDER # 244"WHEREAS, Section 322.036, Wisconsin Statutes, authorizes the Governor to prescribe rules for the conduct of courts-martial under the WCMJ that are generally recognized in military criminal cases in the courts of the Armed Forces of the United States;..."
Homeland
Security blinks on Real ID - CNet News"Homeland Security announced Wednesday that all 50 states and the District of Columbia will be technically Real ID-compliant by the May 11, 2008 deadline--even though many states actually have rejected the concept and have zero plans to embrace a national ID card."
03 April
Iron
County Board to have two new commissioners"Tom Innes of Saxon, who tallied 49 votes in Saxon and 25 in Gurney, will replace James Clement in the district eight seat. Opal Roberts received 138 votes in Mercer's district 12. She replaces Charles Schroepfer, who was appointed to the seat."
Flood
watch begins on Gogebic Range ""It's the scariest year since the flood (of 2002)," Ironwood Public Safety Department Director Robert Erspamer said Wednesday. City of Hurley crews were trucking away huge mounds of snow from the downtown area Wednesday afternoon."
Adams:
Airlines using 'economic blackmail' "Ongoing negotiations between Skyway Airlines and Great Lakes Airlines are a "form of economic blackmail," according to Richard Adams, who is Gogebic County prosecutor and civil counsel for the Gogebic-Iron County Airport Authority."
""I'm just floored, again," said George Peterson III, boys basketball coach in Watersmeet and one of the stars of "Nimrod Nation." The eight-part mini-series directed by Brett Morgen is the first Peabody award for an original Sundance Channel production. The channel has now won two total."
AIM
refuses to step into Bad River fray"Stop what you are doing and go back to peace," Clyde Bellecourt, founder of AIM, wrote in a letter sent Friday addressed to the Bad River Tribal Council and membership. "Find a way to talk with one another. Find a way to bring love and respect into your discussions. Look to how Bad River can endure, not how it can be destroyed."
Fight
over religion in the public arena shifts to Boulder Beer Bar"If the COA board signs off in April on a nutrition subcommittee policy recommendation passed on a split 7-3 vote last Thursday, local seniors would be allowed to pray an individual prayer of thanksgiving, either silently or aloud, but the site's longstanding group prayer tradition will become the stuff of nostalgia. "
Legislature
acts to grandfather most existing piers"The state Legislature has passed and sent to Gov. Jim Doyle a bill to protect, or grandfather, about 99 percent of all existing piers in Wisconsin, exempting most docks placed on the bed of a navigable body of water before Feb. 6, 2004, from more restrictive standards enacted after that date. As of press time, the governor had not formally taken any action. However, indications were that he would sign the bill into law."
"City Attorney Lindsay Erickson says the council discussed the claims in closed session and then disallowed each individually by unanimous votes. Similar claims were filed with Forest County, which has taken no action on them. "
After
bitter race, calls for reform"The negative ads run on behalf of both candidates were devastating to the state's judicial system, said former state Supreme Court Justice Janine Geske, now a Marquette University law professor. "It was disrespectful to the position of a Supreme Court justice," she said. She added that the ads were misleading about the role of justices in the system, and the perception of the court is essential to people respecting the court's opinions."
Good
riddance to monster veto"Wisconsin governors will no longer be able to use their veto pen to stitch together unrelated words and figures across reams of text in state budgets to unilaterally write law from scratch. That goes for Democratic as well as Republican governors. Thank you, Wisconsin voters, for finally flaming this affront to the democratic principle of balanced power between the executive and legislative branches of state government."
"The eight-member council considered 12 notices of claims that allege Tyler Peterson's employers - the city police department and the Forest County Sheriff's Department - were negligent in hiring and supervising him. Peterson was a sheriff's deputy and part-time police officer. Filing the claims was the first step in a possible civil wrongful death lawsuit in the rampage that killed six young people at a late-night party."
Obey
to seek 'earmarks,' but won't ID projects yet"The use of earmarks grew during the 12 years of Republican House control, peaking at $29 billion for 10,000 projects in fiscal year 2006. In the 2008 budget, there were nearly 13,000 earmarks valued at $18 billion, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense. The House Appropriations Committee received more than 30,000 project requests for that year."
Ore.
couple charged in faith-healing death"They are alleged to have prayed for their 15-month-old daughter's recovery from bacterial bronchial pneumonia and a blood infection, according to The Oregonian newspaper. Ava Worthington died March 2 at home from conditions that could have been treated with antibiotics, according to a deputy state medical examiner."
on
the Elections in Zimbabwe"The international community – and in particular neighboring South Africa, the South African Development Community, and the African Union – must ensure that the ZEC and the Mugabe government respect international electoral standards and the political and human rights of Zimbabwe’s citizens."
National
Wildlife Refuge System“The Refuge System faces immense challenges in maintaining our refuges, which over a thousand wildlife species call home and millions of Americans visit every year,” Feingold said. “I will continue to work in the great Wisconsin tradition of protecting the environment by ensuring adequate funding is available to restore and protect our treasured refuges.”
02 April
Pinardi
wins re-election, will work with fresh council "Hurley mayor Joe Pinardi won re-election in Tuesday's spring election. He defeated challengers Paul Mullard and Dan Rossi. Just two incumbents were re-elected to the Hurley City Council, Donald Richards and Charlene Mussatti. Jamey Francis, Joanne Bruneau, Robert Lanctoe and John Aijala were also voted in. Incumbents Mark Wendt and Joel Enking were re-elected to the Hurley School Board."
Write-in
bid fails to unseat Morzenti "Bob Morzenti retained his mayoral seat in the City of Montreal on Tuesday having tallied 141 votes. A total of 80 votes were cast for last-minute write-in candidate Montreal councilman David Aimone... Aimone posted his write-in candidacy signs throughout the city early Tuesday morning."
Elk
herd strong, despite wolf attacks"A state biologist says Wisconsin’s elk herd is strong, despite wolf attacks that have killed some of the animals in recent months. Five elk out of a herd numbering about 130 have been killed by wolves in the Clam Lake area. Department of Natural Resources elk biologist Laine Stowell says all five were males, who instinctively draw predators away from the breeding females."
Butler,
Gableman compete for state Supreme Court seat"Michael Gableman has defeated Supreme Court Justice Louis Butler in one of the nastiest races in state history. Gableman had 51 percent of Tuesday’s vote compared with 49 percent for Butler with 93 percent of precincts reporting."
Voters
agree to curb Wis. governors unmatched veto power"A majority of voters agreed in a statewide referendum to change the constitution to ban what critics call the ‘‘Frankenstein veto.’’ That means Gov. Jim Doyle and his successors will no longer be able to cobble together words and numbers from multiple sentences in spending bills to create policy and taxing levels never approved by the Legislature."
ABC
Raceway adds Midwest Mods to its weekly schedule"The new class will join the track's WISSOTA-sanctioned modifieds, super stocks and street stocks as well as the track's own six-cylinder and pure stock divisions on the docket. A Midwest modified is a down-tuned version of the powerful modified race car, using a less-potent and less-expensive powertrain, smaller tires, and other assorted changes to make it more affordable to build and operate."
Baldwin's
partner approved for trip"The Pentagon at first blocked Rep. Tammy Baldwin's domestic partner from traveling on a military plane with a congressional delegation on a trip to Europe but gave in after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi intervened.
Nation
closing in on state in education funding"Wisconsin collected the 17th highest amount per student in taxes to pay for education in 2005-'06, the U.S. Census Bureau said in a report released Tuesday. And the gap between Wisconsin and the national average was less than $400. A decade earlier, the state ranked 11th, and education revenue per student was almost $800 more than the average."
Gableman
wins Supreme Court race"Voters in the Madison and Milwaukee areas voted heavily for Butler while rural, suburban Milwaukee and North Woods voters went mostly for Gableman, who said his message of being a judicial conservative was key to his win."
Protest
falls flat, drivers angered by air let out of tires"More than 100 Madison residents found their tires deflated in what one activist said could have been an April Fools Day protest. Monica Vaughan, spokeswoman for Rising Tide North America, a network of groups and individuals committed to combating climate change, said air may have been let out of the tires as part of a Tuesday protest of the fossil fuel industry. Notes such as "happy fossil fools day drive less" were left on many of the cars' windshields, police said."
"Justice Louis Butler was not defeated on Tuesday because he was inexperienced... Butler was not defeated because he was unethical... Butler was not defeated because he was hard to work with or unfit in any other way to sit on the state's highest court.. So why did Butler lose? Those attack ads by the Gableman campaign distorted the incumbent's record and flashed images of an African-American justice next to those of an African-American child molester."
"It will take a concerted effort to inform the public about the court's true role or other reforms to repair that damage, Geske said. Such remedies could include providing full public financing of court races to offset the role of special-interest money in campaigns or changing the State Constitution to require the appointment, rather than the election, of justices. But "it's going to take a long time" to restore the high court's image, she said."
April
‘fuel’ prank leaves tires flat"In an attempt at an April Fools’ Day political statement, tires on more than 300 cars near the UW campus were deflated Tuesday. Messages stuck in the cars’ windshield wipers said “Happy Fossil Fuel Day! Drive Less.”"
Governor
Doyle Signs Bill in Northwoods"Governor Jim Doyle makes a stop in Rhinelander this afternooon to sign a bill into law that will help promote tourism in the area. The Pier Protection Bill allows home and business owners to keep their existing piers if they register with the DNR and do not interfere with the rights of other owners."
Feingold: McConnell Distorted Senate Surveillance Debate in Speech
- TPM"Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) is not happy. Sure, many senators -- particularly Feingold and Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) -- objected to key aspects of the legislation, including the provision granting retroactive immunity to the telecoms. But the debate was nothing like McConnell describes. And Feingold writes in a letter to McConnell today that he ought to either back up his statement or "issue an immediate correction and an apology.""
Wisconsin
congressmen divided on local project requests - Appleton Post
Crescent "Three of the state's eight House members and Sen. Russ Feingold say they won't make such requests, known as earmarks, this year... The state's two Appropriations Committee members, Democratic Sen. Herb Kohl, and Rep. Dave Obey, House Appropriations chairman, said they will seek local project money. They don't plan to publicly identify any of those projects until they've been included in 2009 spending bills."
“It is a tragedy that such a fine judge and good human being was trashed during the campaign. Justice Butler has served with distinction and honor on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and I thank him for his fairness, his sense of justice and his lifelong commitment to public service.”
eNews - Morning Report
-
Election
Results -
Battleground
Wisconsin: The Day After
"Gov. Jim Doyle released a statement Wednesday morning: "It is a tragedy that such a fine judge and good human being was trashed during the campaign. Justice Butler has served with distinction and honor on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and I thank him for his fairness, his sense of justice and his lifelong commitment to public service.""
01 April
Obey
Revamps WebsiteRepresentative David Obey (R - Wausau) has completely revised
his
official congressional website with a more modern look and a friendly feel
that is easy to navigate. His
campaign website,
however, still appears to be the best technology of the turn of the century.
Maybe he will soon update his picture to a more stern, craggy, and more gray
photo like
this one. 
Wisconsin
cougar's genetics similar to South Dakota cats "The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said that information is important because it means the cougar is genetically similar to South Dakota cougars. Earlier genetic analysis by the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station in Missoula, Mont., confirmed the animal spotted east of Milton, in Rock County, was a cougar. DNA was obtained from blood left by a cut on the cougar's foot as it ran through an old barn."
Man
held for Wisconsin authorities "Kevin W. Chilstrom, 38, of Amery, was stopped by public safety officers around 11:20 p.m. The arrest occurred after Iron County Sheriff's Department deputies requested assistance from Ironwood officers because they had tried to stop Chilstrom in Hurley, but he failed to pull over. Ironwood officers stopped the vehicle Chilstrom was driving near Quality Collision on McLeod Avenue."
"Local bait dealers and anglers are expressing relief over a recent state decision to loosen restrictions aimed at controlling the spread of a deadly fish disease, while at the same time, the National Park Service is stepping into the effort with its own plan of action."
Delayed
drug study possibly deliberate"Grassley said the e-mails indicated that Merck/Schering-Plough had devised an aggressive seven-week media blitz that was designed to get doctors to switch patients to Vytorin from cheaper statin drugs. The company had budgeted $3.5 million for the campaign. The revelation comes after an independent analysis published Sunday showed that Zetia was heavily promoted in the U.S. despite no data showing that it had any clinical benefit."
Audit:
Wisconsin got $9.6 billion in federal aid last year"The Legislative Audit Bureau report found state agencies generally complied with federal rules for using the money properly. The study did find that 10 inmates improperly received food stamp benefits and there were grant match reporting errors at UW-Eau Claire and UW-Milwaukee."
[Maybe $100K miss-spent out of $9600000K ... remember that when some demagogue starts talking about corruption in government and cutting the waste. - Bob]
UW
student's detention draws protest"Students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison took to the streets Monday to protest the detention of Tope Awe, a Nigerian pharmacy student being held by federal immigration authorities. University officials, meanwhile, made cautious statements about the popular student's plight."
Protesters
support student facing deportation"Monday’s pouring rain was no obstacle for more than 60 University of Wisconsin students protesting in support of a pharmacy student arrested last week and facing deportation to Nigeria. The students gathered in Memorial Union around 12:30 p.m. to draw posters and strategize in efforts to keep Tope Awe in the United States at least until her expected graduation day in May 2009."
Agency
Faulted on Protection at Utah Mine - New York Times"The investigators said they did not know whether the technique of retreat mining, in which pillars of coal supporting the roof are removed to extract the resource, was the cause of the accidents. But the pattern of weak oversight, they said, was clear in how retreat mining was considered, approved and monitored. “These deficiencies evidence MSHA’s serious and systemic lack of diligence in protecting miners,” the report said."
"And now Google Talk is part of the solution. We don't know about you, but we were surprised to learn the inconvenient truth that every character (byte) we send in a message results in about 0.0000000000000000034 metric tons* of CO2 being released into the atmosphere! So if we can reduce the number of characters we send when we chat with all our friends, we can help the environment at the same time."
NorthWoods
History
This article from a year ago is reposted to remind you of the dark pre-WalMart days in the Northwoods.
2006 -
Hurley Goes 20th Century
"Casual midday strollers in beautiful downtown Hurley will have
more than gulls, ravens, crows and hawks to look at starting today."
This article includes exclusive video.