Local News - June 2008 - WegoWeb.net
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31 Oct  
Energy Assistance programs Offer Invaluable Help
“Rising energy prices are going to make it increasingly difficult for many families to keep up with record winter fuel costs and add urgency to the need to promote Government fuel assistance and weatherization programs, State Senator Bob Jauch (D.Poplar) said today.
Endorsements
  • Wisconsin County Police Association
  • Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Association PAC
  • The Tavern League of Wisconsin
  • Business North
  • The Sierra Club
Bayfield County wind energy project possible says assessment
"Owen said the Mt. Ashwabay site was large enough to accommodate about 12 600-kilowatt turbines, with a few more potentially sited on the upper reaches of the ski slope property.  Owen said in the report that the county could consider selling the output from the wind turbines to Xcel Energy, or deliver most of its output to county offices and sell just the surplus energy."
Bad River building new elder center
"Not only is it likely that elders will find the new digs to be a better fit, but the earth should be happy about it, too.  The center — which was completely planned and designed by the elders themselves, Tribal Chairman Eugene Bigboy Sr. said — will be a model of environmentally-sensitive building."
Hurley School Board approves fundraiser
"A portion of proceeds from the project will go towards needs for the SMART board system already in place in every classroom; elementary textbooks, and technology needs in the middle school and high school."
Health Insurance
"Gov. Jim Doyle says the state and federal
government have agreed in principle on the state's plan to expand the BadgerCare Plus health insurance plan to low-income childless
adults."
Christmas Trees
"A group of state lawmakers demanded today that the Department of Commerce clarify new state fire code provisions after at least two fire chiefs clashed on whether the regulations would ban Christmas trees in churches."
Control of Wisconsin Assembly up for grabs on election day
"Despite Republican efforts to chip at the Democrats' majority in the Senate, both sides agree Democrats are all but assured of retaining control of that house.  Assembly Democrats are within striking distance because of the gains they made in 2006, when they cut the Republican majority from 60 to 52. Republicans now run the chamber 51-47..."
Wis. Democrats ask for issue ad investigation
"State Democratic Party attorney Mike Maistelman this week sent complaints to district attorneys in 33 counties where he believes the ads were shown as well as the Government Accountability Board, which oversees elections in Wisconsin. Maistelman tried to persuade television stations to pull the ads earlier this month to little avail."
Election Matters: Doyle, Van Hollen fight about Election Day
"Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, a McCain campaign co-chair, filed a lawsuit earlier this fall that would have complicated an already busy voting day by requiring new voters to leap through additional hoops to confirm their eligibility. After that initiative was rejected by a Dane County Circuit Court judge last week, Van Hollen announced that he was sending his employees to selected polling places around the state to monitor the vote."
Australia to implement mandatory internet censorship - Herald Sun, Australia
"EFA board member Colin Jacobs said it would have little effect on illegal internet content, including child pornography, as it would not cover file-sharing networks.  "If the Government would actually come out and say we're only targeting child pornography it would be a different debate," he said."
Khalidi and the PLO - JTA Election Central '08 (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
"So here’s the thing: What everyone acknowledges is that Khalidi was an adviser to the Palestinian delegation to the 1991 Madrid talks. That delegation - to a person - could not have had any formal affiliation with the PLO. Israel regarded the group as terrorist and its laws banned contact with its members; then-Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir made NOT being affiliated with the PLO it a condition of Israel’s agreement to participate. The names of the Palestinian team would have been vetted by Israeli intelligence."
McCain concedes Obama no socialist - Politico
"KING: You don't believe Barack Obama is a socialist do you?
MCCAIN: "No, but i do believe that he has been in the far left of American politics and stated time after time that he believes in spreading the wealth around."
 

30 Oct

  
'Jobs, jobs, jobs' is top issue for challenger LaBarre
"We need to work towards and succeed in strengthening the economy, bringing good jobs to northern Wisconsin, in preserving our natural resources, making health care affordable to all and to control the overburdening tax climate!"
Feds delay rules to contain Great Lakes fish virus
"Federal officials are taking another look at proposed rules designed to contain a fish-killing virus in the Great Lakes after critics said they were unreasonable and could force some fish farmers out of business."
Iron County budget in place; hearing set
"The county's equalized value increased $43,718,600 over last year, from $969,821,900 to $1,013,535,500, according to county clerk Mike Saari. He attributed the increase to property sales throughout the county.  Because of the increase in valuation, the mill rate will decrease in 2009."
Local players fare well in GWC postseason honors
"Two Hurley players and a Ewen-Trout Creek senior received special awards from the Great Western Conference.  Hurley senior BJ Wesenberg (6-0, 185) earned Defensive Back of the Year and Hurley sophomore Jeff Aspinwall (5-9, 175) was Kicker of the Year."
Pianist to play benefit concert for pantry
"Timothy Mesun, 14, of Ironwood Township, Mich., will give a benefit piano concert Sunday, Nov. 9, at 2 p.m. at the Hurley Coffee Company.  Visitors are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the Iron County Food Pantry for its Thanksgiving efforts."
Young talent sought; auditions next week
"Students interested in performing a dance, song or acting piece should prepare a 3- to 5-minute performance and attend auditions, which will be held at the Hurley K-12 school auditorium at 6:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 3 and 4."
WI Among the Top in Deer Related Accidents
"The report by the Highway Loss Data Institute
found that 223 people died in animal-vehicle crashes in the nation last year, up from 101 in 1993. Over the past 15 years"
Doyle, DA criticize Van Hollen plan for agents at polling places
""The attorney general has no authority in this state to supervise elections," Doyle told reporters. He again said the move by Van Hollen is part of a national effort by Republican Party leaders to "try and raise questions" about the voting process - questions that they hope keep some voters from casting ballots."
Governor slams attorney general over voter checks
"Doyle's spokesman Lee Sensenbrenner said the difference between what Van Hollen is doing and what happened in 2004 is intent. Lautenschlager sent workers to watch for voter suppression, while Van Hollen is interested in disrupting the voting process, Sensenbrenner said."
US commission sides with Wisconsin papermaker
"Appleton, formerly Appleton Papers Inc., claimed last year that the Chinese government provided subsidies allowing manufacturers to lower their prices. Appleton also alleged China and Germany sold their products in the U.S. at less than fair market value.  A Commerce Department investigation earlier this year found Appleton's complaints had merit."
Thursday is final day to get mailed absentee ballot 
"Thursday is the final day the clerk's office will send out ballots by mail, according to staff in the clerk's office.  Requests for absentee ballots received Thursday will be honored and ballots will be mailed, but requests won't be honored if received Friday or later."
Poll finds 23% of Texans think Obama is Muslim - Houston Chronicle
"The Obama-is-a-Muslim confusion is caused by fallacious Internet rumors and radio talk-show gossip... The Texas numbers are unusual because most national polls show that just 5 to 10 percent of Americans still believe Obama is a Muslim — less than half the number of Texans who buy into the debunked theories.
Republican Voter Suppression: A Guide - TPM
"A county court threw the suit out, but Van Hollen soon announced the formation of a "voter fraud task force", which would involve stationing 50 state prosecutors and other law-enforcement agents at the polls on election day, a move state [WI] Democrats have denounced as an effort to intimidate voters."
McCain Miami Rally, Getting Ugly Down Here - FiveThirtyEight.com
""People were screaming 'Terrorist!' 'Communist!' 'Socialist!'" Sorando said when we caught up with him. "I had a guy tell me he was gonna kill me."  Asked what had precipitated the event, "We were just chanting 'Obama!' and holding our signs. That was it. And the crowd suddenly got crazy.""
 

29 Oct

  
Raises OK'd for 9 non-union Hurley city employees
"Mayor Joseph Pinardi suggested that city clerk Linda Ryskewecz receive a $1-per-hour raise and deputy clerk Kathleen Byrns a 75-cents-per-hour raise.  The special raises for Ryskewecz and Byrns, as well as the 3 percent for the other non-union employees, were approved unanimously by the council. The council also discussed ways to trim the city's 2009 budget.
Hurley residents to see increased sewer rates
"A 15 percent overall rate increase will take affect Nov. 1, and will be seen by sewer customers on the March 2009 billing cycle. The average residential customer will see a 15 percent increase. The increase could be more or less than 15 percent depending on the current base service rate."
Expenses up, revenues down in Mercer School District
"While expenses are up, revenue is down ...  The budget lists $3,043,683 in total revenue, $109,293 less than in 2007-08. That's a 3.47 percent decrease in revenue.  And it is $254,484 less than expenses."
Expenses up, revenues down in Mercer School District
"While expenses are up, revenue is down ...  The budget lists $3,043,683 in total revenue, $109,293 less than in 2007-08. That's a 3.47 percent decrease in revenue.  And it is $254,484 less than expenses."
Hurley falls to talented Thorp
"The Midgets put up 20 first-half points on a Thorp team that had given up just 40 points before halftime the entire season.  But the momentum swung late in the first half as the Cardinals scored two touchdowns, including one off a Hurley turnover as the Midgets were close to scoring."
Gary Sherman seeks return to Madison as district rep
"After 10 years in the minority, I am looking forward to playing a leadership role in Wisconsin's restoration," Sherman said on his campaign Web site. "Together, we can tackle issues like education funding, property taxes, health care, and the environment."
Megabucks Meltdown
"That option had been projected to be worth $8.5 million last Saturday night, but by the time of the drawing, the bond market had changed.  The lottery now estimates the bonds it can buy will onlyn fund an annuity of $8.2 million for Wednesday night's drawing."
Feds delay rules to contain Great Lakes fish virus
"Federal officials are taking another look at proposed rules designed to contain a fish-killing virus in the Great Lakes region after critics said they were unreasonable.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the rules last month. They require testing and inspections of 28 farm-raised and live bait species susceptible to viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS."
Former Wisconsin GOP governor criticizes McCain
""It's not the strategy that I would like," said Thompson, who also served as Health and Human Services secretary under President Bush. "I would have done a lot of things differently. That's not worth talking about."
Five political science experts handicap the presidential race 
"The Capital Times' higher education reporter, Todd Finkelmeyer, tracked down political experts from UW-Madison and Madison Area Technical College to get their take on how things might shake out on Nov. 4."
Foreign preachers of hate must renounce views or be banned from UK - Telegraph
"Through these tough new measures I will stop those who want to spread extremism, hatred and violent messages in our communities from coming to our country," Miss Smith said. "Coming to the UK is a privilege and I refuse to extend that privilege to individuals who abuse our standards and values to undermine our way of life. "
Fox News reportedly "now expresses regret for booking" Andy Martin -- but what about Hannity? - Media Matters
"Gibbs added that "Andy Martin called a judge a 'crooked, slimy Jew' " and that "Martin went on to write that he understood better why the Holocaust took place.""
 

28 Oct

  
Mercer receives grant for downtown improvements
"Community was the buzzword of the day. Representatives of town, county and state government, school, chamber of commerce, the Mercer Lake Association, Downtown Development Group and other residents congratulated one another for the collaboration that landed one of the largest 2008 Wisconsin Department of Transportation grants outside the Milwaukee and Madison areas."
Two bound over in stabbing incident
"Leslie Ann Bradley, 40, of Hurley and James E. Thomas, 37, of Racine, Wis., were bound over to circuit court Monday in connection with the Oct. 12 stabbing of Chad Mathias Andert, 27, of Ironwood."
MySpace, YouTube contribute to weekend bust
"Multiple citations were issued, ranging from underage consumption, open containers of alcohol, violation of the absolute sobriety law, and possession of drug paraphernalia, Bruneau said. All citations were forwarded to the district attorney's office.  "Further citations may be forthcoming," Bruneau said.  The sheriff said he would "like to thank MySpace and YouTube for the assistance in this incident.""
'Mystery' biker tentatively identified
"Although the sheriff's department has not made direct contact with Miller, it is now believed that the camper, hitchhiker and bike owner are one and the same. It is further believed that his bike broke down, and it is unknown why he has yet to come retrieve it."
  • Washburn, Hurley gear up for road tests
    "Hurley (7-2) at Thorp (7-2) — The last time these teams hooked up in the 2003 WIAA playoffs, the Midgets outscored the Cardinals 50-38 in a Level 2 shootout behind four touchdowns by Gary Leinon and three by Scott Derosso.  Hurley coach Scott Erickson doesn't expect that kind of track meet tonight, but both teams do bring in potent offenses. Back in 2003, the teams combined for 800 yards of offense."
  • Guards notch sweep of Hurley
    "The Washburn Castle Guards got on a big roll early in the second game and went on to post a 25-17, 25-14, 25-20 sweep of the Hurley Midgettes in a WIAA Division 3 regional semifinal volleyball match Friday night."
Driver Taken to Hospital for Serious Injuries
"The Vilas County Sheriff's Department says they had seven weather-related car crashes within the hour.  And in Oneida County officials there say they had five crashes and three rollovers before noon on Monday."
Absentee Voting
"Clerks in Green Bay, Kenosha and Janesville say they are already exceeding 2004 levels. They say they're expecting their biggest crowds in the final week before the election.  Turnout has been so heavy across the state that a spokesman for the Government Accountability Board says its estimate that 15 percent of Wisconsin votes would be cast by absentee ballot may be too low."
Manitowish Waters at center of efforts to restore timber wolves to western Great Lakes
"Manitowish Waters is figuring prominently in ongoing efforts to restore a sustainable population of timber wolves (Canis lupus) to the western Great Lakes region, now that the Timber Wolf Alliance has relocated its headquarters from Northland College's Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute to the non-profit North Lakeland Discovery Center, W215 Hwy. W"
GM supplier to close Janeville plant, cut 117 jobs
"Allied Automotive Group told the state Department of Workforce Development on Monday its closure will result in the layoff of 117 workers.  Earlier this month another three GM suppliers announced layoffs, also effective Dec. 23."
Doyle earns award for leadership on energy 
""I am honored to receive this award in recognition of the state's efforts to reduce our energy consumption and move toward energy independence," Doyle said.  He noted that Wisconsin's future lies in creating good jobs and economic success with clean technologies, solar panels, wind turbines and other "green" activities."
High fuel costs affecting corn harvest 
"High fuel costs are having an effect on state farmers harvesting corn, as many are waiting for corn to dry out a little more in the field so they can save on drying costs, according to the latest crop report from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Report."
Vote now, volunteer later
"“The No. 1 thing that we look to do with pushing the early vote is to make sure people are available to volunteer on Election Day and get their friends to the polls,” Lehrich said.""
Social conservatives fight for control of Republican Party - Los Angeles Times
"In skirmishes around the country in recent months, evangelicals and others who believe Republicans have been too timid in fighting abortion, gay marriage and illegal immigration have won election to the party's national committee, in preparation for a fight over the direction and leadership of the party."
The GOP's Bizarre Purchases: Chocolate Elephants, Art Restoration, Rove's Lunches - Huffington Post
"In the past two months, for example, the GOP ticket has opened up its wallet for elephant-shaped shrubbery, baseball tickets, a yacht rental, and lunches for Karl Rove... That same committee also purchased $3,589 worth of elephant shaped chocolates from a sweet shop in Dallas, Texas. "They bought about 1,000 pieces," said the storeowner"
 

27 Oct

  
Jauch and Sherman Praise Funding for Mercer Downtown Enhancement Project
"Since early this year, the two legislators have worked closely with a Mercer citizens group in support of the Main Street Enhancement project. Mercer was recently selected as one of 47 projects for their proposal to improve resident and tourist access to the downtown area."
Police seek information on mystery bike, owner
"The Bayfield County Sheriff's Department is seeking citizen assistance to help them identify the owner of a bike, camping equipment, clothing and supplies that were found recently in Bayfield County."
Halloween Fun Frolic: Where every kid's a winner
"Prizes for best costumes and games were given out by volunteers at the annual event much to the joy of area kids.  And it wasn't just kids from Saxon, Kimball and Gurney who attended the frolic.  Those from Hurley and Ironwood even came, according to volunteers."
No shortage of road salt here
"Iron County Highway Department office manager Tana Osterman said Friday the state had delivered 8,500 tons of salt for use in the county and said the county's salt sheds in Hurley and Mercer are filled for the winter."
Hurley seeks service learning projects
"To help achieve this goal, the school is requesting information on community needs from organizations, individuals, service clubs, businesses, governmental agencies and faith-based groups.  These community needs can be small- or large-scale projects appropriate for elementary, middle or high school students."
Flu vaccine clinics set
"The Iron County Health Department will hold flu clinics in Hurley, Mercer and Saxon next week and in November."
Midgets prepare for trip to Thorp
"As the Hurley Midgets make their 11th straight playoff appearance, Hurley coach Scott Erickson says he sees a lot of Baraga in first-round opponent Thorp."
Wolf Trackers 
"DNR wolf expert Adrian Wydeven says trackers will be assigned areas in northern and central Wisconsin forests to gather data to help biologists evaluate the wolf population.  Wydeven says last winter's count put the wolf population at up to 564 animals."
Law gives Wisconsin workers 3 hours off to vote
"The 1945 law allows workers to be gone for up to three hours in a row. But it also says employers can dictate which three hours of the work day those will be, and they don't have to pay workers for the time off."
Sen. Feingold encourages students to vote early for Obama 
"Although polls are showing Barack Obama with a double-digit lead in Wisconsin over John McCain, state Democrats are taking nothing for granted.  Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wisconsin, is launching a two-day, eight-college tour Monday to urge students to vote early and get involved in the final days of the campaign."

Wolf-moose doc shown at Rozsa
"Vucetich shared this message with a large audience at Michigan Technological University's Rozsa Center Sunday night at the mainland premiere of George Desort's documentary "Fortunate Wilderness: the Wolf and Moose Study of Isle Royale." The movie had its first showing on Isle Royale this summer during the 50th anniversary of the study."
Schullers' Rift Centers on 'Hour of Power' - Los Angeles Times
"Mysse said the change, discussed in the last year and made during the last few weeks, has strained the relationship of a father and son who once seemed to be a solid team.  "We're trying to do the best we can and bring about a deeper reconciliation," Mysse said. Their relationship "is not irreparable, but it's gone through some difficult days.""
Barbara West vs. Joe Biden - WFTV-Channel 9
"WFTV Channel 9's Barbara West puts Joe Biden on the hot seat over ACORN, voter fraud, and Barack Obama's "Spread the wealth" comments, and even asks if Obama is a "Marxist".  The result? Best. Interview. Ever."
 

25&26 Oct

  
Sturgul elected to state bar post
"Hurley attorney Paul Sturgul was elected secretary of the Michigan State Bar elder law council at a fall workshop in Glen Arbor last month.  Sturgul gave a presentation on Michigan's new estate recovery law at the Sept. 24-26 event."
  • Midgets draw a road game
    "The Midgets were denied a home game to open the playoffs despite a 7-2 record and finishing the year with six straight victories. Hurley's losses were to Great Western Conference rivals Crystal Falls Forest Park (9-0) and Lake Linden (8-1), but the Midgets' third-place finish likely was the determining factor in the decision."
  • Hurley falls in volleyball regional
    "The Hurley Midgettes had their season brought to a close Friday with a 3-0 loss to the Washburn Castle Guards in the semifinals of the WIAA Division 3 regional volleyball tournament."
  • Hurley girls take fifth at sectional
    "The Hurley Midgets and Mercer Tigers finished their seasons at the WIAA Division 3 cross country sectional meet in Bruce on Friday."
Bear Attacks Northwoods Dog
"Lori suspects the bear weighed 300 pounds and was surprised by Nick and her other dog, Copper.  Fortunately, Copper got away unhurt, but Nick didn't... Experts say this time of year, bears are looking for food and anything will do, even bird seed or garbage cans.."
Congressional Delegation
"Change might be the buzzword in national politics for the November 4 election.  But here in Wisconsin, political observers expect little change in the state's congressional delegation."
Heating costs stabilize
"Central Wisconsin residents likely will not pay as much to heat their homes this winter as energy experts predicted earlier this month... Natural gas prices, though, recently were about 2 percent higher than last year and are not expected to soar as predicted, EIA analyst Tancred Lidderdale said. The same can be said for heating oil."
Doyle wants checkpoints
“Most of us are in much more danger from a drunk driver than we are from a person that is going to break into our house,” he said. “I don’t think we should have a ban (on checkpoints). . . . I think it can be a useful tool, used appropriately and in a limited way.”
3rd quarter foreclosures in U.S. up 71 percent from 2007
"By the end of the year, RealtyTrac expects more than a million bank-owned properties to have piled up on the market, representing around a third of all properties for sale in the U.S.  That's bad news for anyone who lives nearby and wants to sell their home."
DNR needs volunteers to track wolves in Wisconsin
"A federal judge recently ordered wolves in Wisconsin back on the federal endangered species list.  DNR wolf expert Adrian Wydeven says trackers will be assigned areas in northern and central Wisconsin forests to gather data to help biologists evaluate the wolf population."
Election Matters: Paul Ryan trashes McCain campaign
"To be competitive in Wisconsin, McCain should have run a campaign that emphasized his past moderation and bipartisan work with Democratic U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold. Instead, he aligned himself with Angry Waukesha Man. Not a smart strategy when you are trying to compete in a state where you are scrambling to get people to like you."
Joel McNally: The real Bill Ayers
"What Obama is not free to say during the presidential campaign is what anyone who knows the work of Bill Ayers over the past 25 years knows to be true -- that Bill Ayers is a good man doing good work and no one running for president should ever have to apologize for associating with him.  If Obama were to utter that truth, it would immediately appear in another negative McCain ad: "Obama Praises Terrorist Bomber!""
Election Matters: Endorsement makes it a newspaper trifecta for Obama
"The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Wisconsin State Journal and the Capital Times newspapers have never endorsed the same candidate for president.  Until this year."
  • Controversial Kennecott Mine addressed
    "The mining Bertossi's group fights against is not the same type of mining done in the U.P.'s past, she said, explaining that Kennecott's mine would release sulfuric acid into the environment.  "It can coat the bottom of streams, fish's gills, and change the pH of the water," she said."

  • FOLK hosts mining, minerals discussion
    "Bouma said landowners, whether approached by mining companies or not, should conduct research to find out who owns the mineral rights.  "It's important for people to know if they own them," he said.""
OBAMA REDRAWS MAP OF RELIGIOUS VOTERS  - NPR
"The way the Republicans talk about his community organizing experience, you'd think he was going down into the inner city and leading rioters," Reese says, laughing. "Where, in fact, he was organizing at Catholic parishes in Chicago, trying to get jobs for Catholic parishioners."
PALIN BLESSING ECHOED EXTREME STRATEGY - Anchorage Daily News
"Extreme Christian Nationalists not only believe that the United States was founded as a Christian nation but that its institutions should be run entirely by fundamentalist or evangelical Christians. They believe they have a mandate to purge our institutions of "humanists" who believe that humans are in control of their own destiny, progressive Christians and non-Christians"
THE FARCE IS WITH THEM - The Philadelphia Inquirer
" It exposes the absurdity of the actions of the powerful, many of whom we elected. It is not only a heart-and-soul cleansing for the public, but also a warning to those who are determined to continue the masquerade.  And with YouTube spreading the word, whenever there's an attempt to pass off blather as truth, satire has raised its side-splitting smarts, revealing those who try to make fools of us as the biggest fools and - on the first Tuesday of November - losers."
OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT - Anchorage Daily News
 "Sen. McCain describes himself as a maverick, by which he seems to mean that he spent 25 years trying unsuccessfully to persuade his own party to follow his bipartisan, centrist lead. Sadly, maverick John McCain didn't show up for the campaign. Instead we have candidate McCain, who embraces the extreme Republican orthodoxy he once resisted and cynically asks Americans to buy for another four years... Yet despite her [Palin's] formidable gifts, few who have worked closely with the governor would argue she is truly ready to assume command of the most important, powerful nation on earth."

 
 

24 Oct

  
Jauch and Sherman to Recognize Transportation Grant
"State Senator Bob Jauch (D-Poplar) and State Representative Gary Sherman (D-Port Wing) will join local officials and community members on Monday, October 27th at the Mercer Community Center at 10 a.m. to recognize the receipt of a $631,008 Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) grant for the Mercer Downtown Enhancement Project."
Blood drive a success at Hurley K-12
"The American Red Cross blood drive at Hurley K-12 School fell just shy of its goal of 70 donors Thursday but organizers are calling the event a success.  In fact, plans are already under way for the crew of a dozen Red Cross "collection specialists" to come back in April, according to Leola Maslanka, elementary school secretary and one several staff members who set up the event."
Wood products conference to be held Nov. 5
"The Bayfield County Economic Development Corporation and Bayfield County University of Wisconsin-Extension will hold a conference, "Making Our Wood More Valuable -- Finding Ways to Increase the Value of Northwest Wisconsin's Forest Resources," Nov. 5 at the Lakewoods Resort in Cable."
Computer classes begin Nov. 3
"Beginner computer classes at the Mercer Public Library will be held at 1 p.m. on four Mondays."
Midgets blast Panthers
"Daulton Levra and Justin Rhenlund ran for 143 yards each for Hurley, each scoring twice on the ground. Levra also added a receiving touchdown on a 30-yard scoring play from Josh Thiede."
Assembly candidates debate at League of Women Voters forum
"LaBarre and Sherman were both asked about their positions on the expansion of nuclear energy in the state. LaBarre said she was uncertain if moving towards increased nuclear energy in the state was the answer to energy issues, but said she would support it if that is what her constituents want. Sherman said he was not opposed to nuclear energy in principle, but said he didn't think the time for that had yet come, noting that issues such as the disposal of nuclear waste still remained."
Dedicated conservationist Martin Hanson dies at 81
"But from the time he moved as a child with his family onto 1,200 acres near Mellen until his death, Hanson was a tireless advocate for the woods and wildlife."
Doyle Calls for Tougher Drunk Driving Laws
"The governor says most people are in greater danger from drunken driving than someone breaking into their homes.  He says he doesn't think sobriety checkpoints should be banned and they can be useful tools to fight drunken driving as long as safeguards are in place to avoid discrimination."
Voter Checks
"The state Justice Department says it plans to appeal a judge's decision tossing out Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen's voter-check lawsuit.  But former state Supreme Court Justice Janine Geske says there's no chance of anyone hearing an appeal before the November 4th election."
IRS can’t deliver stimulus checks to 3,500 Wis. taxpayers
"People who think they should have received their money by now can call the IRS or visit its Web site to make sure their addresses are current.  Taxpayers expecting stimulus checks have to provide their correct information by Nov. 28 because the checks have to be mailed by Dec. 31."
Racist scarecrows? Teen defends as Halloween art
"He says the figures hang from their necks but not by nooses. He says tying the rope to the neck is the only logical way to hang the figures.  Mayor Don Osborne says the display, which includes a Confederate flag, is disgusting. He says he can't say whether it's racist but he wishes it weren't there."
Couple turns in wad of found $20 bills
"At a time when many people are feeling the financial pinch of the economic slowdown, one area couple turned in a wad of $20 bills found on a downtown street Thursday morning to Madison police. The dollar amount: $1,000."
Truth Trucks Continue to Dog Obama Campaign Trail - Operation Rescue
"Truth Trucks have also recently made appearances exposing Obama's abortion extremism in Wisconsin and the state of Washington. In addition to linking Obama with the horrific result of abortion that include images of the broken bodies of aborted babies,..."
McCain surrogate tells Dominican students to prepare for war with Iran in next four years - Marin Independent Journal
"A Republican charged with representing the views of presidential candidate Sen. John McCain told Dominican University students Thursday that war with Iran in the next four years is inevitable."
23 Oct  
Op/Ed: A New Patriotism - from September, 2005
"It is time for us to mobilize as for war and remake ourselves in a way that will allow us to retain both our economic and moral leadership in the world. It is time for a New Patriotism to bring us together in a common effort to overcome what is holding us back, just as we overcame the evil forces arrayed against us so many times in the past."
Employment picture improved in Northwoods
"Iron County's unemployment rate of 6.2 percent for the month was down from a 6.5 percent figure in August, but worse than the 5.8 percent recorded in September 2007, according to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development."
Iron County Democrats rally for Obama minus Obey
"Obey was scheduled to attend the rally at the Hurley Inn, but developed laryngitis after receiving a flu shot. State Rep. Gary Sherman, D-Port Wing, filled in for Obey at the event."
Hurley, Mercer teams off to sectionals
"The Hurley and Mercer cross country teams will travel to the Dodson family golf course in Bruce, Wis., Friday for the WIAA Division 3 sectional meet."
New Day Shelter celebrates 25 years of service
"A few statistics begin to tell the tale of what the shelter has accomplished since 1983: 1,542 individuals served; responses to more than 44,000 crisis situations; 18,000 nights of shelter offered to abuse victims; and more than 100,000 miles traveled in support of victim services."
Fire Training
"There are no guarantees when they go into a burning building, but firefighters say the extra practice gives them confidence that everyone who goes in will come out.  The Rhinelander Fire Department, along with Newbold, Pelican, Crescent, and Cassian are all part of the Rapid Intervention Team that's on call to help firefighter who's trapped or injured."
Smoking Ban Narrowly Passes
"Smoking will be prohibited in Fond du Lac taverns, bowling alleys and other workplaces following a close vote by the City Council ... Residents on both sides of the contentious issue packed the council chambers to listen to debate that went on for nearly four hours."
Mother, daughter accused of bilking state of $360,000 in child-care scheme
"Pagan-Vera, an employee of the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services, suspected something was wrong when she found just six children in the center, which is licensed for up to 68 per shift. Pagan-Vera asked a worker to see the records. That led to a multi-department investigation culminating Wednesday in charges of theft by fraud against the 23-year-old owner of Tender Moments, Shartavia Adams, and her mother, Bernice Watson, 41."
Judge tosses lawsuit challenging voter registration checks
"A Dane County circuit judge today dismissed a lawsuit by Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen to require the state elections agency to check voter registrations against other state databases dating to 2006, which critics said could have thrown hundreds of thousands of registrations into doubt."
Wisconsin GOP sends mailer linking Obama to Ayers
"The mailer also includes a 2001 quote from Ayers saying he doesn't regret the bombings. But the quote was placed next to a picture of Obama and not attributed to Ayers.  The placement is "deliberately misleading and dishonest," Obama's campaign spokesman Matt Lehrich said. He called the ad a desperate attempt to scare voters and divert attention from the economy."
Social media conquer politics
“Everyone here thinks you are a giving a lot of BS and not answering the question the person actually asked you,” said Lee Brenner, executive producer of political programming and director of IMPACT (public affairs) for MySpace. “Do you want to try it again?”
Green Bay committee votes to keep displays holiday nonreligious - Green Bay Press-Gazette
"Last year, former City Council President Chad Fradette placed a nativity scene atop City Hall. The scene prompted a lawsuit filed by the Madison-based Freedom from Religion Foundation and 14 Green Bay residents against Fradette, the city and the mayor because of the display."
FAIR UnMasks the SmearCasters - Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting
"Smearcasting documents the public writings and appearances of Islamophobic activists and pundits who intentionally and regularly spread fear, bigotry and misinformation in the media."

 
 

22 Oct

  
Hurley council postponed special meeting
"The special meeting of the Hurley City Council scheduled for Tuesday night has been postponed until next week.  The council was unable to reach a quorum Tuesday night, so no official action could be taken."
7th District debate on public radio
"Wisconsin Public Radio and the Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy will sponsor a debate between the major party candidates running for the 7th Congressional District seat on Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m.  Incumbent Dave Obey, D-Wausau, and Republican challenger Daniel Mielke of Rudolph will debate Thursday afternoon and WPR will pre-empt its regular programming schedule to air the debate, which will be broadcast live from the studios of WBHM-FM (90.3) in Park Falls."
Weatherization Day event to promote energy savings
"Yet changing just five bulbs in an average home from incandescent to compact florescent can save as much as $60 a year for that household.  Now if that act were repeated in the 2.1 million households throughout the state, electric bills would be reduced nearly $17 million and energy consumption would be cut by more than 224 million kilowatt hours."
Emerald Ash Borer
"Bob Dahl of the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection said the nursery tree had apparently been moved from Illinois to Wisconsin, so there doesn't appear to be an active infestation of the insect in the area."
County Board Passes Dry Hydrant Resolution
"Oneida County becomes the first county in the United States to pass a dry hydrants and water removal ordinance... Dry fire hydrants and other water removal techniques will now be regulated in Oneida County lakes. Today the Oneida County Board passed an ordinance 13 to 7 regulating the removal, replacement and treatment of water to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species."
Obey debate rescheduled for Tuesday
"The debate had been scheduled for Thursday, but Obey told Wisconsin Public Radio that a bout of the flu has left him with laryngitis and unable to speak. Obey also canceled a scheduled debate in Superior this week for the same reason."
Medical group bans doctors from accepting vendor gifts
""This policy is strong and clear. It leaves no doubt that the society's physicians want to prevent even the impression that a gift, no matter how small, could get in the way of a physician's decision-making," said Dr. Steven Bergin, the society's president,..."
Grass roots feed Tavern League’s political clout
"The Tavern League, made up of small armies of bar owners across the state, doesn't have the biggest paid lobbying force in Madison, nor does it spend the most on campaign contributions. But it has a remarkable ability to get what it wants, a Journal Sentinel analysis found.
Taverns are a hotbed of grass-roots politics
"In the time it takes to pour a beer, mix a brandy old-fashioned or serve a fish fry, Wisconsin tavern owners can get their customers involved in their causes, or at least tell them why something pending in the Capitol would be bad or good for business."
Prosecutors assigned to monitor election day voting irregularities
"Officials also said people can contact the FBI with complaints. In the eastern district, call (414) 276-4684. In the western, the FBI number is (608) 833-4600.  Complaints also can be lodged in Washington, D.C., at the Civil Rights Division’s voting section, (800) 253-3931 or (202) 307-2767."
Wis. Guard deployment largest since 1940
"The National Guard announced in September the 32nd Infantry Combat Team will deploy to Iraq next year. The brigade has units based in 36 Wisconsin communities with soldiers from around the state."
Repeal law on sentencing guidelines, appeals court says 
"An appeals court is calling on Wisconsin lawmakers to scrap a requirement that judges consider sentencing guidelines when punishing people who commit certain felonies.  The reason: The state commission that produced the guidelines no longer exists.  Lawmakers eliminated the Wisconsin Sentencing Commission in a cost-saving measure in last year's state budget.
UW fundraising shaken
"With the stock market fluctuating daily and many people’s portfolios shaken, the University of Wisconsin and other nonprofit organizations are concerned whether money will continue to pour in from private donors."
DNR's Kobes alerts PI officials about 'poison parsnip' danger
"While there were a few guffaws to be heard at last Thursday night's Presque Isle town board meeting when "poison parsnip" was mentioned, it turns out that the invasive plant, whose edible roots were consumed in ancient Greece and Rome, is far from a laughing matter."
Two charged with attempted murder
"Two suspects have been charged with first degree attempted murder after a stabbing in Hurley, Wisconsin Sunday night.  It happened shortly after 11 p.m. on Silver Street."
Gay Activists Protest Dobson’s Induction to Hall of Fame - NBC Chicago
"Dobson is perhaps best known though for his anti-homosexual remarks and for his claims that homosexuality can be "overcome." In 2004, Dobson told The Daily Oklahoman, "Homosexuals are not monogamous. They want to destroy the institution of marriage. It will destroy marriage. It will destroy the Earth." ... The Dump Dobson Coalition has organized a protest for Saturday, November 8, outside the Renaissance Chicago Hotel, where the induction ceremony will take place."
PERJURY CHARGES FILED; ONE ARREST MADE SO FAR  - Democratic Underground
"LA TIMES: On October 3, the Public Integrity Unit of the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office charged Jacoby with four felonies: two counts of voter registration fraud and two counts of perjury. A warrant was issued for his arrest and bail was set at $50,000. {The arrest was made over the weekend near an Ontario, California hotel}"
Myths and falsehoods about the purported link between affordable housing initiatives and the financial crisis -  Media Matters
"A study released earlier this year by a law firm specializing in CRA compliance estimated that in the 15 most populous metropolitan areas, 84.3 percent of subprime loans in 2006 were made by financial institutions not governed by the CRA."
 

21 Oct

  
Preliminary exams set for 2 charged in stabbing
"Cash bonds of $100,000 were continued Monday morning at the initial appearances for Bradley and Thomas on counts of being a party to the crimes of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, aggravated battery and first-degree reckless endangerment."
WI Among Other States to File Lawsuit
"Wisconsin is among 13 states and the U.S. Justice Department filing a lawsuit to block the world's largest beef packer from buying the nation's fourth-largest beef processor. "
Deer Related Car Accidents Increasing
"He adds, "I cannot emphasive that enough, do not swerve to avoid hitting the animal, hit the animal if you have to do something."  Lloyd along with the DNR recommend driving slower at dusk and night time hours and to scan the side of the road for deer."
Duluth
News
Tribune		 Snowflakes seen in Northwestern Wisconsin
"The National Weather Service said that a spotter near Gile, just west of Hurley in Iron County, reported some wet snow mixed in with drizzle during the afternoon."
One drunken driver’s tab: $365,000
"Every year, Wisconsin taxpayers pay $2.7 billion in alcohol-related police and court costs; incarceration; crash investigation and cleanup; lost productivity; academic failures; and premature deaths, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest."
Obama, McCain on stem cells
"Obama has committed to ending President Bush's ban limiting federal research grants to 21 lines, or colonies, of stem cells derived before August 2001. The campaign of Sen. McCain, R-Ariz., said he would support the use of adult stem cells and other recent breakthroughs that don't involve the destruction of embryos. But in his statement McCain did not address how he would handle human embryonic stem cells, which are thought to be capable of being grown into any kind of tissue."
Record number of ballots ordered for election
"The FBI will also have special agents available in each field office and resident agency in the district to receive allegations of election fraud, intimidation, suppression or other election abuses. The FBI phone number is 608-833-4600.  Complaints about ballot access problems or discrimination can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division Voting Section in Washington at 800-253-3931 or 202-307-2767."
Atheists become increasingly vocal - Gannett News Service
"He's part of an increasingly vocal minority of atheists and other Americans who claim no religious affiliation. The percentage of religiously unaffiliated Americans has doubled since 1990, rising to 16 percent. That growth represents one of the largest trends in American religion today, according to a poll published this year by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life."
Russians say 'nyet' to McCain fundraising appeal - Associated Press
"Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, received a fundraising appeal from the Republican presidential nominee Thursday, spokesman Ruslan Bakhtin said.  "Dear Friend," begins the 6-page letter to Churkin, asking for up to $5,000 to defeat Sen. Barack Obama and help McCain "promote freedom and democracy throughout the world," according to a copy of the letter provided to The Associated Press by the Russian mission."
[One can only wonder how over the top Republican Hate Radio would go if Obama had requested money from the Russians. - Bob]
 

20 Oct

  
AGENDA -- Regular School Board Meeting
"Hurley School District
5503 W Range View Drive, Hurley, WI 54534
Monday, October 27, 2008 ... To Immediately Follow the Annual Meeting
Held in the Hurley High School IMC "
Hurley council to consider increase in sewer rates
"The council will discuss a future job opening in the clerk's office because of the retirement of the office assistant and will also discuss wage increases for non-union employees for 2009."
Obey in Hurley Wednesday
"The Iron County Democratic Party will host reception for Obey at noon at the Hurley Inn.  The public is invited. Those planning to have lunch should call Bob Traczyk at 715-561-3098."
Lights On Afterschool celebrates Hurley program
"Hurley School District's after-school program, Students Together Afterschool Reach Success, a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant-funded program, planned a celebration called "Dining With the STARS."  Students brought in ingredients and made hobo stew, cornbread muffins, pumpkin bars and apple cider to serve to family and friends."
New Beginnings holding annual banquet Thursday
"New Beginnings Pregnancy Support Services, Inc., will be holding its annual fundraising banquet, with noted southern pro-life advocate Bob Foust as the keynote speaker.  The third annual banquet is being held on Thursday at the Hurley Inn on Tenth Avenue in Hurley."
Flu clinics coming to Mercer
"Marshfield Clinic Mercer Center will hold flu immunization clinics Tuesday, Oct. 28, through Friday, Oct. 31, from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. "
Mercer School students compete for fitness
"By recording required times and distances in personal logs, 17 Mercer School elementary students became qualified to enter a drawing for a TREK 4300 bike and helmet, valued at more than $500.  The winner of the TREK bike and helmet was eighth grade student Zion Guzman."
Deer Hunt Baiting
"Franks says tuberculosis has been identified in the Minnesota deer herd and chronic wasting disease was recently discovered in Michigan deer.  Critics say baiting and feeding cause unnatural concentrations of deer and increases the risk of disease infection and spread. "
Lead Ammunition
"State wildlife officials are urging deer hunters to use alternative ammunition this fall to reduce the risk of lead poisoning.  The state Department of Natural Resources says shooting deer with lead ammunition can leave tiny lead particles or fragments in the deer's body far from the wound channel. "
Ash Borer Control
"The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is applying for a special process that allows it to register pesticide products without prior federal approval.  This would allow the insecticide Tree-age to be used in the control of the invasive pest."
Most felony drunken drivers avoid prison
"Eight years later, a new law took effect, making fifth-offense drunken driving a felony. The Legislature's intention was to get repeat offenders off the road.  Yet almost a decade later, fewer than half the people sentenced for the felony in Milwaukee County go to prison, a Journal Sentinel analysis found."
[For info on the methodology uses, see also Cases of 161 repeat offenders studied.  Also of interest is Drinking deeply ingrained in Wisconsin's culture. - Bob]
Voting early becomes a popular option
"We believe this year it's going to be higher" than ever before, Kyle Richmond, a spokesman for the state elections agency, said of absentee voting. "It's been stair-stepping every year and absentee voting has been promoted this year more than ever before."
Hmmmm  - Is Christianity Today Angry/Appalled? - They linked to all four of these today.
Some of McCain's black relatives support Obama - South Florida Times
"Lillie McCain, 56, another distant cousin of John McCain who is black, said the Republican presidential nominee is trying to hide his past, and refuses to accept the family’s history.  “After hearing him in 2000 claim his family never owned slaves, I sent him an email,” she recalled. “I told him no matter how much he denies it, it will not make it untrue, and he should accept this and embrace it.”"
 

18&19 Oct

  
Wisconsin jobless rate down in September
"Gassman said it was the third consecutive month that the unemployment rate declined in the state. "We are holding our own in these very challenging economic times at the national level. Our focus remains one of strengthening our workforce, assisting job seekers and connecting them with employers," she said."
Midgets clinch playoff spot
" If this was a heavy weight bought, it would have been stopped in the first round."  The Midgets scored 54 points in the first half.  Ontonagon had five fumbles which resulted in a lot of points for the Midgets.
Outdoor center created by students for students
"Created by students for students, the forest classroom has a shelter, composting toilet, bog platform, improved trails, custom carved signs and study guides.  A grand opening on Monday will unveil improvements."
Local volunteers aiding Operation Christmas Child
"Local volunteers are collecting simple shoe box gifts personally packed by children, families and individuals in Iron County and surrounding counties as part of the Operation Christmas Child project of the international Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse."
Christian men's retreat to be held Nov. 7-9
"The Christian Men of the Northland will hold the Men's Retreat at Camp Jorn in Manitowish Waters, from Friday, Nov. 7, to Sunday, Nov. 9.  The speaker will be Chuck Bylkas."
WDNR: Lead in venison should concern hunters
""Although lead in venison does not rival lead paint in older homes as a health risk for the public, the risk is not low enough to ignore. Children under 6 years and pregnant women are at the greatest risk from lead exposure," said Tom Hauge, of the DNR."
Winter took a toll on northern Wisconsin deer
"As hunters participate in an early antlerless-only hunt across much of the state this weekend and archery hunting continues through Nov. 20, deer numbers in the north vary greatly because winter didn't hit some areas as hard as it did here on the Gogebic Range."
Tomahawk Mill Receives Grant to Train
"And with the help of $38,000 state grant and Nicolet Collge, soon he'll be teaching courses right at the Tomahawk Mill. "It's really good to see from my perspective, Nicolet College, who's an employer of mine and also PCA, another employer of mine to come together to make this positive thing happen.""
  Clinic to study flu shot effectiveness in elderly
"Marshfield Clinic researchers are conducting a study to see if they can boost the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine among older people.  Each year, influenza sickens millions of people in the United States and sends more than 200,000 people to the hospital, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On average, 36,000 people die from the respiratory illness."
Cranberry Farms In Wisconsin
"Here in Manitowish Waters, cranberry farmers have 600 acres of crop.  Their crop makes up 5% of the state's cranberry crop.  The owner of Manitowish Cranberry Company Inc. says they were worried about the cranberries this year due to a late summer, but they've harvested more than usual."
Mixed industries help Wisconsin weather slowdown, economist says
"While conceding that the nation could be sliding into a recession, a senior Federal Reserve official said Friday that Wisconsin's diverse manufacturing sector is faring better than portions of the Midwest that rely more heavily on automakers and their suppliers."
A canary in the forest
"So far, 15 spruce grouse are cooing and hopping around the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest near Clam Lake with radio collars around their tiny necks. The DNR wants to catch five to 10 more this fall for the collars."
Wisconsin DNR Secretary: Please don't bait deer
"Franks says tuberculosis has been identified in the Minnesota deer herd and chronic wasting disease was recently discovered in Michigan deer.  Critics say baiting and feeding cause unnatural concentrations of deer and increases the risk of disease infection and spread."
Wis. authorities go after Texas man over pigs
"For years, dozens of giant, hairy hogs have run wild through its valleys and bottoms, rooting up trees, devouring crops before they sprout and keeping residents indoors. Now state investigators say they know who brought the beasts here, and they want him to pay."
Ohio voter case could impact Wisconsin 
"The Wisconsin Republican Party should be barred from Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen's lawsuit demanding confirmation of voters' identities before Election Day, attorneys argued Friday.  The motion to kick the state GOP off the case came hours after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in an Ohio case that private citizens can't sue to enforce federal election law."
WISN.com Obama Campaign Worker Allegedly Attacked
“The next thing I know he’s telling us we’re not his people, we’re probably with ACORN, and he started screaming and raving,” Takehara said. “He grabbed me by the back of the neck. I thought he was going to rip my hair out of my head. He was pounding on my head and screaming. The man terrified me.”
The Religious Use of Politics - Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly, PBS
"In North Carolina, a couple of years back, there was a Baptist pastor who confidently told his congregation that you can't be a Christian if you don't vote Republican. (I do not know what that did for the number of Republicans in the area, but I am reliably informed that it increased the number of United Methodists.)"
Photo: A Sea of Obama Supporters Spreading Out From Under the St. Louis Arch - Buzz Flash
"Saturday, October 18, 2008
More than 100,000 Attend Obama Rally in St. Louis"
The folloiwng 3 short videos are offered without comment. - Bob
Feingold listens to constituents in Pierce County - River Falls Journal

Kohl: Senators Probe Industry Ties to Medical Device Conference Organizers - Newsinferno.com - New York
 

17 Oct

  
New Hurley well system could be on line in 2009
"Martin recently met with Hurley School District administrator Chris Patritto to review the location of the proposed facilities, including the water plant building, an access road and a watermain loop. "Once we have come to a consensus on the facilities, he will bring it to the school board for approval," Martin said."
Students to give presentation
"The students' research included interviews with descendants of people involved in the Little Bohemia shootout and others who recall those lively times or the aftermath.  They compiled a history of Dillinger's robberies. They examined the context of the Great Depression, foreclosures on banks and homes and the lack of confidence in government of that era."
Is biomass boom an environmental bust?
"The state Department of Natural Resources (DNR), along with the Wisconsin Council on Forestry, is working on harvesting guidelines that aim to provide balance through general recommendations and site-specific provisions for harvesting biomass."
The Reporter
Fond du Lac,WI

 

 Judge rejects wrongful death lawsuit
"Eau Claire County Judge Paul Lenz handled the case. He says it's "too remote" to think the diocese would have had any reason to believe the Rev. Ryan Erickson, formerly of Campbellsport, would kill someone.  Erickson was removed from St. Patrick Church in Hudson, moved to Ladysmith and then Hurley, where he hanged himself in 2004."
Robo Calls
"The calls claim Obama has worked closely with Ayers and say it was Ayers' organization that bombed the U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon, a judge's home and killed Americans.  Obama has condemned Ayers' radical activities, carried out Obama says when he was 8."
Whooping Crane
"Plans called for the 14 young cranes to take off Friday, weather permitting, from the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in central Wisconsin on the first leg of a journey to Florida's Gulf Coast."
State project fine-tunes picture on negative ads
"McCain claimed that when you factor in Obama’s massive spending, the Democrat has aired more negative ads than anyone in history.  That’s not true, according to project director Ken Goldstein of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who said President Bush’s 2004 re-election campaign “aired the greatest number of negative ads in recent history and spent the most money doing so.”"
Moe: Writer is a friend to hungry travelers
"Still, there's no denying the book's real destination is the passenger seat of anyone who likes traveling Wisconsin off the Interstate highways. Just about every small town in the state has a bar or restaurant with a fascinating story behind it, and Bergin has unearthed many of them."
Election Matters: McCain campaign's ugly strategy
"What's the strategy? The RNC and the McCain campaign want to keep Wisconsin in play, as they have few other options in swing states. They have definitely dialed down their campaigning in the state. But they are betting on some under-the-radar strategies that hit Democrat Barack Obama hard and ugly."
Deficit will likely force cutbacks in UW System
"At a press conference Wednesday, Doyle said his No. 1 commitment is education. But whether he will be able to completely protect the education system from cuts is unseen, Sensenbrenner said."
Study: Believers nicer if reminded of God - Religion News Service
"Religious people are more helpful and generous than others -- but only on two conditions, according to a study published in the prestigious journal Science.  University of British Columbia psychology researchers Ara Norenzayan and Azim Shariff concluded that religious people act more kindly than atheists on condition they believe their acts will enhance their reputations among their peers. The second condition is being freshly reminded, in a subconscious way, of the existence of a morally tinged God or supernatural being, the researchers said."
Obama’s ‘Diplomacy’ Wins a Republican Endorsement  - Congressionally Quarterly
"The ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee parted ways with his party’s presidential nominee Wednesday by endorsing Democrat Barack Obama ’s approach to diplomacy.  In a lengthy speech at the National Defense University, Indiana Sen. Richard G. Lugar weighed the benefits of talking to foreign leaders, including U.S. enemies, against other actions, such as military force."
iPhone, iPod Touch Takes Over at Texas University - CNET
"The students at ACU were the lucky recipients of either an iPhone 3G or iPod Touch plus a collection of Web Apps written by ACU. This is just one example of an upswing in Apple sales to educational organizations which in recent years has been in decline. Apple’s sales have eclipsed Dell, which used to rank first in education sales."
 

16 Oct

  
Ashland council approves ATV use
"The Ashland City Council on Tuesday unanimously voted to allow all-terrain vehicle use in the city for a full year, but directed the mayor and police chief to address certain areas out of safety concerns."
Wildlife officials move martens north
"Wildlife officials are moving dozens of martens from Minnesota to northern Wisconsin to try to boost the population here.  The fierce 1- to 2-pound weasel is the only mammal on Wisconsin’s endangered species list."
A new gold rush for Wisconsin wood?
"The tops of trees, branches and other dispersed, gnarly bunches of slash that loggers previously left in the woods is attracting more and more commercial attention for its possible usage as wood pellets for heat and power, and fuel for utility company boilers."
"Ghost net" fished out of Lake Superior yields surprise catch
""But this net is very old and was probably set back prior to 1995, when the area was open to gill netting; but we really don't know," he said.  Schram said a buildup of material on the net gave an indication of how long it had been underwater. Despite its age, it was still taking an occasional fish."
Aimone resigns from Montreal City Council
"He submitted his letter of resignation to city clerk Susan Lesky following Tuesday's council meeting.  On Wednesday, Aimone told the Daily Globe he resigned because, "I didn't feel good about doing the job anymore. I do not think I am doing what I should be doing.""
Stabbing victim stable
"Chad Mathias Andert, 27, of Ironwood, remained in stable condition Wednesday in a Duluth hospital after being stabbed on Silver Street in Hurley late Sunday night."
Ending Hunger In Wisconsin
"Today people in the area got together to address the hunger issue in the Northwoods and across the Badger state.  The problem is linked to the unstable economy because the price of food is going up.  It's obvious the struggling economy's hit us all in the wallet, but for many people in the Badger state, it's literally hit them in their stomachs."
Rural Doctors
"Metropolitan areas may not have a problem recruiting doctors to practice in their cities, but rural communities are a different story.  Only 5% of practicing physicians work in rural areas."
Rep. Obey remains million dollar man in race
"Obey, D-Wausau, raised $111,128 between Aug. 21 and Sept. 30 and finished the third quarter with slightly more than $1 million in cash reserves, according to his campaign finance report filed Wednesday. He donated money to Rep. Steve Kagen, D-Appleton, who is in a rematch race with John Gard, the Republican he defeated in 2006."
Doyle warns of $3 billion gap
"The deep slump in the nation’s economy will force a budget crisis for state government, Doyle said, adding that he has ordered state agencies to submit new 2009-’11 budget requests — this time with 10% cuts in spending."
Milwaukee to remove voters with suspect addresses
"He said that resulted in about 3,000 voters with suspect addresses but a few hundred of them were either obvious data entry errors or street name changes that were cleared up. The others - 2,663 - were sent the warning letters after their addresses also did not show up in the Milwaukee tax assessor's database.  Albrecht said the nonexistent addresses could be attributed to any number of problems, including data entry mistakes and confusion."
Election Matters: National GOP exits Wis.; scared state Republicans tout Dem ties 
"New radio advertisements for Republican Assemblyman Brett Davis ... attempt to dull the edges of his party affiliation. How so? They repeatedly mention how Davis has worked with Gov. Jim Doyle, the Democrat Republicans love to hate."
[If you scroll down you see a blurb on the town hall meeting by liberal talk show host Ed Schultz who can be streamed at the The Mic 92.1 FM - Bob]
Ten Years of Promoting Religious Freedom Through U.S. Foreign Policy - Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life
"Oct. 27 marks the 10th anniversary of the signing of the International Religious Freedom Act, a law that made the promotion of religious freedom a basic aim of U.S. foreign policy. The passage of the legislation marked the culmination of a campaign of unlikely religious allies, who went on to champion other international human rights causes."
Top Tampa GOP Figure Circulates Joke About Killing Obama - Tampa Bay Online
"The punch line comes when one child says that if an airplane carrying Obama and his wife, Michelle, “was struck by a ‘friendly fire’ missile and blown to smithereens,” the event might be a tragedy “because it certainly wouldn’t be a great loss, and it probably wouldn’t be an accident either.”"
Irish Bookmaker Pays out on Obama as Next US President - Market Watch
"This unprecedented move comes almost three weeks ahead of Election Day on November 4th and sees the bookie paying out in excess of EUR1,000,000 [$1,360,000] to Obama backers. Prior to Paddy Power paying out, Obama was practically unbackable at odds of 1-9 to be the next American President (meaning a bet of EUR90 was required to make EUR10 profit)"

 
 

15 Oct

  
Assessors Present 2008 Fair and Equitable Award
"The Wisconsin Association of Assessing Officers, (WAAO) presented Representative Mark Gottlieb, Senator Robert Jauch, and Senator Spencer Coggs the 2008 Fair and Equitable Award...  Senator Robert Jauch serves northern Wisconsin and is Co-Chair of the Joint Committee Review of Administrative Rules. He is also a champion of health care, rural development, and quality education."
Hurley council OKs library levy exemption
"Wisconsin statutes provide for cities that maintain their own libraries to seek exemptions from county levies and approving the resolution means Hurley taxpayers won't have to pay a county library tax, city clerk Linda Ryskewecz told the council."
Fall bazaar Saturday
"The First Presbyterian Church of Hurley will hold its Fall Bazaar Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hurley Senior Center."
Midgettes cut Lumberjills
""We came out and played really well, especially in the first two games," Hurley coach Liz Constantini said.  Kayla Windt and Hailey Manzanares played well from the outside hitter positions and had some nice kills, Constantini said."
Super Cheap Gas
"Joosten pulled up to a Citgo station to fill up her 1998 Ford Expedition yesterday afternoon for an advertised price of $3.43 for premium fuel.  But Joosten says the pump said 34.9 cents per gallon.  So she bought more than 25 gallons for a grand total of $8.85."
State lags in assessments
"In budget documents, Department of Revenue officials admit that this year they will assess only about half of the manufacturing properties required to meet the five-year cycle of updated values mandated by law."
Doyle to outline bleak budget forecast
"The problem is the state has built in only the thinnest of cushions in its current budget to weather any unexpected downturn, Berry said.  "Just as you can never time the stock market, you can never time the economic turn," Berry said."
Homeless student count surging across state 
"There were at least 8,957 homeless students in Wisconsin at some point during the last school year, up 67 percent from 5,358 in 2003-04.  And judging by the volume of calls for information and advice from school districts to the state Department of Public Instruction during the current school year, another big increase is in store."
Iraqi Christians Flee Mosul in the Wake of Attacks - New York Times
"Several church leaders accused the Iraqi government of trying to cover up the extent of the problems facing Christians there and of overstating its success in improving security in Mosul, one of the country’s most volatile cities."
McCain Transition Chief Aided Saddam In Lobbying Effort
"William Timmons, the Washington lobbyist who John McCain has named to head his presidential transition team, aided an influence effort on behalf of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to ease international sanctions against his regime.  The two lobbyists who Timmons worked closely with over a five year period on the lobbying campaign later either pleaded guilty to or were convicted of federal criminal charges that they had acted as unregistered agents of Saddam Hussein's government."
McCain's Brand New Stump Speech
"John McCain unveils his fiery new stump speech, but we've heard it before."
[This is the one where Jon Stewart syncs McCain's new stump speech with excerpts from his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention. - Bob]
 

14 Oct

  
Wildlife officials move martens to Northwoods
"The fierce 1- to 2-pound weasel is the only mammal on Wisconsin's endangered species list.  The native population was nearly wiped out a century ago by trappers who prized their sable-like fur. Department of Natural Resources conservation biologist Jim Woodford estimates there are fewer than 1,000 left in the state."
Ironwood man stable after Hurley stabbing incident
"Chad Mathias Andert was airlifted to St. Mary's Hospital following the 11:01 p.m. stabbing in front of a bar on Silver Street, according to a Hurley Police Department report."
Two charged with attempted murder
"Two suspects have been charged with first degree attempted murder after a stabbing in Hurley, Wisconsin Sunday night.  It happened shortly after 11 p.m. on Silver Street."
Presidential Candidates Urge Absentee Voting
"The Democrat's presidential campaign sent an e-mail today to thousands of supporters featuring a video clip of the Illinois senator.  Obama says, ``Voting is easy in Wisconsin. You can go do it today.'' He then directs them to a Web site and a phone number where they can find out how to vote absentee in person or through the mail."
State works to restore furry, ferocious martens
"How fierce are they? One researcher contends that if martens were as big as black bears, there would be no humans living in the North Woods.  With small furry ears and limpid brown eyes, martens look cuddly, though perhaps not to squirrels, mice, voles or even snowshoe hares - their primary food sources."
Using Lake Michigan water can reduce salt in waterways
"Getting more communities onto Lake Michigan water over time will decrease the amounts of salt going through water treatment plants and ending up in rivers and lakes, officials say.  That’s because communities that now use well water would no longer need to use water softeners filled with bags of salt.
GM: No SUVs, but talks on Janesville plant's future continue
"Union, business, community and government leaders presented GM with an incentive package in September in an attempt to attract new manufacturing to the Janesville plant, which was set to end production by 2010."
Rep. Obey: Income distribution back to Depression-era level 
"Wall Street went on a binge. But the infection has now spread beyond Wall Street, far beyond our own borders, and far beyond the banking system," he said during his 2008 Robert W. Kastenmeier Lecture titled "Economic Injustice."  The auto industry is now also in shambles and looking for a government bailout to save them, Obey said adding, "And you can bet your last buck that the airline industry is right behind them."
Election Matters: Feingold to McCain:
"But the increasingly crude nature of the McCain campaign's attacks on Democratic nominee Barack Obama -- and the racial and ethnic insensitivity that has been tolerated at too many rallies featuring McCain and Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin -- finally proved too much for Feingold."
AG: Tribal off-reservation police records not public documents
"What Burke's interpretation means is, many of the same law enforcement arrest reports that would be subject to public inspection if the Oneida County Sheriff's Department made those arrests would not be open to public inspection if officers of the Lac du Flambeau police department made them."
Christians denounce attacks by Hindus in India - Associated Press
"The All India Christian Council said the toll after nearly two months of sporadic violence has reached 59 dead and 50,000 displaced. Officials in the eastern state of Orissa, site of the worst violence, say 34 people have been killed.  The recent violence began after Hindu activists blamed Christians for the slaying of a Hindu leader killed in Orissa on Aug. 23. Retaliatory attacks left scores dead, dozens of churches destroyed and thousands of people homeless, despite the government's claim that Maoists killed the Hindu leader."
Palin vindicated? - Anchorage Daily News
"She claims the report "vindicates" her. She said that the investigation found "no unlawful or unethical activity on my part."  Her response is either astoundingly ignorant or downright Orwellian.  Page 8, Finding Number One of the report says: "I find that Governor Sarah Palin abused her power by violating Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act." "
McCain v. McCain - Working Families e-Activist Network, AFL-CIO
"John McCain’s campaign is based on the core principle that he is a straight-talking maverick. If you take that away, what’s left? ... John McCain, you can’t have it both ways. Watch this video and pass it along before the debate tonight."
 

13 Oct

  
Hurley roughs up Guards
"Jared Reid, Daulton Levra and Josh Thiede each scored a pair of touchdowns Friday night as the Hurley Midgets blanked the Washburn Castle Guards 42-0 Friday night in Great Western Conference action."
Pumpkin Run encourages folks to get out and ride
"Looking around, Bobbi said, "It is kind of like a ghost town and this is the best time for mud, right now."  Mercer Chamber of Commerce Director Tina Brunell said the number of registered participants in this year's Pumpkin Run, 231, is down from last year's count of 288."
Hurley fourth graders learn about recycling
"Ronda Olkonen's and Monica Kolpin's fourth grade classes at Hurley K-12 School sold Smencils, recycled pencils made out of newspapers, in October to help fund field trips."
Outdoor Educational Center to debut with gangsters
"Created by students for students, the forest classroom has a shelter, composting toilet, bog platform, improved trails, custom carved signs and study guides.  A grand opening on Oct. 20 will unveil improvements."
Whooping Cranes on the Move
"Fourteen young cranes are scheduled to take off Friday from the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, barring inclement weather.  Ultralight pilots there have been leading the impressionable birds on longer and longer training flights. "
Recession may boost some state stocks
"“I’m certain one of the problems going forward in the next whatever period — six to nine months or something — is that we’re going to have credit contraction,” Collopy said. “I think people are going to borrow a lot less money and that’s certainly going to have an effect on retail.  “On the other hand, I think Kohl’s is well-situated that they might catch some of the spillover from people who are walking away from Tiffany’s or Nordstrom’s or whatever the case may be.”"
Wisconsin Supreme Court campaigns will change, observers say
"If the court finds the complaint is valid, it would certainly put judicial candidates on notice to be careful with their ads," said Janine Geske, a former Supreme Court justice and now a Marquette University law professor. "If the First Amendment is found to control here. . .we could have even scarier ads."
UW entrepreneurs hope laptop stickers become 'Livestrong' of renewable energy
"The company is selling "Energy Seal" stickers for $16 each. People then affix them to their laptop computers to show that the computer's lifetime energy consumption has been offset with certified renewable energy credits from wind turbines."
Great Depression survivors, scholars share old lessons for a new financial crisis - The Indianapolis Star
""The unlimited desire for wealth was always considered a vice," said D. Stephen Long, a Wabash native and professor of systematic theology at Marquette University who has written about ethics and the economy. "I think we have forgotten that.""
Closing the Loop - TPM
"We've now got video from the front of that woman at the McCain rally on Friday. And this view makes it clear that while she said "Arab terrorist" in the subsequent interview, she clearly only said "Arab" on the stage with McCain ..."

 
 

11&12 Oct

  
Father, son to minister together
"Daniel Rouse will be the new associate pastor at Lighthouse Family Church in Ironwood.  He is the son of the Rev. Thomas and Paula Rouse of Hurley.  Thomas Rouse is pastor of Lighthouse Family Church.  Daniel Rouse graduated with high honors from Rhema Bible Training Center in Tulsa, Okla. He finished two years of pastoral training."
Truth Project aims to train leaders
"The training is a Christian curriculum designed and produced by Focus on the Family. It will teach participants to lead a small group and to challenge fellow Christians to enrich their world view through scriptural principles of the Truth Project."
Midgets crush Castle Guards 42-0
"The win gives Hurley a chance at the playoffs, even if they lose their last two games. A victory next week at Ontonagon would clinch a berth. Finishing the season with two more wins gives Hurley a chance at a home playoff game."

Castle Guards sweep Midgettes
"Washburn beat Hurley in three games 25-12, 25-10, 25-18 in Indianhead Conference volleyball action Thursday.  The Midgettes started all three games strong, and led in every game."
Dorm Restoration Project
"Today tribal and community members held a ground breaking ceremony to restore the 1906 government boarding school dormitory.  The all boys dorm housed children as young as five who were taken from their homes to learn English and go to school."
Money Week Seminar
"Gov. Jim Doyle says the state's whole economy benefits from having residents who are smart about their money. For a schedule of these seminars, click on the link below.
Related Weblinks: Find out About the Seminars"
Game farm deer had CWD
"State Veterinarian Robert Ehlenfeldt said Friday that a 7 1/2 -year-old doe, killed on Sept. 20, had been infected with the fatal disease.  The animal was owned by Alligator Creek Whitetails near Junction City. State officials have quarantined the facility."
Editorial: Toward a new vision for the industrial Midwest
"The new Congress still will have to appropriate the money next year during a budget process that may be like no other because of the extreme stresses on the nation's economy. But we're cheered that House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) was one of the co-sponsors of the Amtrak bill. Just as they did during the fight to pass the Great Lakes Compact, the Midwestern congressional delegations should fight hard for this critical link."
Ultralight to lead 14 cranes to Florida this year
"Fourteen young cranes are scheduled to take off Friday from the Necedah (nuh-SEE'duh) National Wildlife Refuge, barring inclement weather. Ultralight pilots there have been leading the impressionable birds on longer and longer training flights."
Time for new trade policies with China
"So, while the bankers and brokers fret about what is happening on Wall Street, Main Street continues to wither as a result of failed trade policies.  There is an alternative.  Kaptur has proposed congressional action (H.R. 1958) to withdraw permanent normal trade relations treatment -- formerly referred to as "most-favored nation status" -- from China."

WHAT’S NEW   Robert L. Park   Friday, 10 Oct 08

  • PHYSICS PRIZE: SPONTANEOUS BROKEN SYMMETRY.

  • MEDICINE PRIZE: WINNERS AND LOSERS, AND WHY IT MATTERS.

  • CREATIONISM:  SHOULD THERE BE A RELIGIOUS TEST?

  • BEARS:  MOCKING SCIENTIFIC STUDIES IS AN OLD SPORT.
Churches boost help to many in financial crisis - The Tennessean
"Cornerstone has increased its $100,000 benevolence fund by $50,000 to help church members pay rent, put gas in cars, and keep lights on. The church also plans to spend an additional $40,000 on charitable projects around Nashville this month... A number of Nashville area churches and religious relief agencies are increasing efforts to help people financially during the economic crunch. As the stock market has fallen, calls for help have risen."
Hail to the Beans - 7-Election 08
"7-Eleven coffee drinkers weigh in on the election with every coffee purchase.
Ronald Reagan Endorses Obama
OK... The headline is tongue-in-cheek, but this video was just so powerful I couldn't help but pass it along.  My Republican friends will rightly point out that John McCain is NOT George W. Bush and that Bush shouldn't receive all the blame for the last eight years, but that flies in the face of the argument Reagan made and which they accepted in that long past election.  Having used the line of reasoning to their advantage, they should not be allowed to reject it now with no cost. - Bob
 

10 Oct
NOTICE OF MEETING IRON COUNTY FINANCE COMMITTEE
"The Iron County Finance Committee will meet on Friday, October 17, 2008 at 8:00 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)"

Amended 3:00 PM 10/09/08

Dredging Saxon Harbor Is No Easy Task
"The United States Army Corp of Engineers is the inspector for the job. Roen plans to remove 5000 yards of material from the harbor. Once the barge is loaded with materials it will move over to the west side of the harbor and unload behind the retaining wall.  Angelo Lupino Company will then use their front end loader to fill their trucks and haul the spills away."
Voter checks nearly impossible before elections
"Even the smallest discrepancy, such as the name "Steve" instead of "Steven" between the two lists, would be enough to disqualify voters under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), which was passed in 2002 and took effect in January 2006. Voters would have to verify the correct information, a process that would be impossible to accomplish in the short time remaining until the Nov. 4 election, the clerks said."
Island looks to energy independence
"What started as discussion about energy independence will take another step forward next month with the installation of a meteorological tower designed to determine the island's capacity for producing wind power.  The roughly 160-foot tower, which is on track to be up and running Nov. 1 within Big Bay State Park, will remain standing for one year to give stakeholders enough data to pass along to potential developers interested in making the investment."
Guards power past Midgettes
"Washburn cruised to a 25-12, 25-10, 25-18 victory over the Midgettes. The victory sets the Castle Guards at 6-0 in IC play, moving them just one win away from no worse than a tie for the IC crown."
Forum set for Wednesday on Mercer School referendum
"In the November general election, voters in the Mercer School District will be asked to approve $350,000 per year for five years beginning in 2009-10. That money is over and above the state's levy limits for school tax money."
Small-town library impresses new librarian
"Schmidt said the new job is going well, and she is impressed with the library. She hasn't made any changes in the library and said right now she is just observing.  She wants to know what the patrons like, are using and what their needs are before she makes changes."
Lambeau Field Expansion Put on Hold
"But, as reported by WFRV-TV last night, Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy said paying for it would require selling off some investments, and it's not a good time for that.  So it's been deferred for the time being. "
Gas drops under $3 at some stations
"Unfortunately, the lower gas prices are a sign that the economy is struggling. Analysts say prices dropped in recent weeks in part because consumers are having trouble affording gas, so demand is dropping."
[Also, please note: Gas prices have dropped during every election season of the Bu$h era. - Bob]
Stem cell advance may avoid cancer risk
"The new technique, reported Thursday in the journal Science, appears to be both safer and simpler than previous methods, bypassing the cancer risk associated with using viruses and genes that remain inside a cell."
Doyle unveils research triangle for gene research
"Doyle on Friday announced the formation of the Wisconsin Medical Research Triangle, one that might rival a similar research park in North Carolina.  The three points of the triangle are universities in Madison and Milwaukee and a clinic in Marshfield."
Madison could have Amtrak within 3 years, DOT says
"With bipartisan, veto-proof support, Congress last week passed legislation that could finally put a Chicago-Madison-Milwaukee high-speed passenger Amtrak rail in place. The bill authorizes $3.4 billion in grants to fund rail corridors across the country. White House officials say President George W. Bush, never a big supporter of Amtrak, will sign the legislation."
Urban Exile: Suburban vs. Urban Church Politics - Christianity Today
"Despite their theological compatibility, more than just the 25 miles between their sanctuaries separate these two churches. While employed by the suburban church, a member told me she was nervous to admit her liberal leanings to her friends. “I’m afraid they’ll question my Christianity,” she said, only partly kidding."
CREW FILES ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST MCCAIN - Center for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
"In July, Time reported that over the past decade, Sen. McCain has gambled on Mississippi riverboats, on Indian land, in Caribbean craps pits and on the Las Vegas strip, allegedly playing “for a few thousand dollars at a time.” In 2005, The New Yorker reported that while in New Orleans in the spring of that year, Sen. McCain gambled at Harrah’s Casino... Nevertheless, Sen. McCain reported no income derived from gambling on the personal financial disclosure reports he filed with the Senate between 2000 and 2007."
 

09 Oct
Kimball Township Park
I apologize to the citizens of Kimball for incorrectly spelling their name on this video.  I will get it corrected as soon as possible.  However, I like the video enough that I'd like you folks to see it even with the error.  This small park and Finlandia are the two jewels of a town that, although small, obviously has better things ahead.  I hope the residents also noticed the recently posted, In Wisconsin, bigger definitely is better from the Chicago Tribune. - Bob
'Powerful pianist' to give recital
"Pianist Alex Marciniak will perform a benefit concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Hurley K-12 School auditorium.  Proceeds will go to the Hurley Education Foundation, according to Marciniak, a Hurley alumni."
Children's fire safety night set
"The Saxon/Gurney Fire Department and auxiliary will hold Kids Fire Safety Night on Friday at 6 p.m. at the Saxon Community Building.  There will be fire safety tips, Smokey Bear and refreshments."
Halloween party coming Oct. 21
"There will be a Halloween party on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 11 a.m. at the Hurley Senior Center.  The menu will feature boo burgers with cheese, freaky fries, Casper's coleslaw, devil's food cake and Sabrina's witches brew."
Troubled tribe elects new leader
‘‘I just think it was time for a change,’’ said Carl Edwards, the new president of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. ‘‘I think we need to do a little bit of healing. The projects we have out there are good investments. We need to see them through.’’
Law and order candidate offered tips to defendants
"As recently as last year, the first-time legislative candidate ran a Web site that tried to turn a buck by selling defendants a primer on how to beat criminal charges."
Tim Cuprisin - Festus of Hurley, Wisconsin
"And, I'm also tired of them folding end credits of 60s TV shows, or making "new" credits that are folded which also eliminate TV theme songs. All so they can squeeze out more ads and promos for their programming. I was going to ask you to use your powers to do something about these matters, but ..."
Judge's option, jail or stupid sign
"Eau Claire County Judge Paul Lenz gave Shane McQuillan an option after he was found guilty of criminal damage to property for ramming his car into a closed gate at the plant.  McQuillan could spent time in jail, or spend a day outside the plant holding a sign that says "I was stupid." McQuillan chose the sign sentence Wednesday."
12 communities join Doyle's plan for energy independence 
"Communities joining the program may receive additional access to state and federal funds, as well as technical assistance from state and federal agencies, the administration said. In addition, communities will improve their energy efficiency and, hopefully, create budget savings along the way as well as more money for capital projects."
Younger faithful's political agenda broader, poll finds - Denver Post
"The survey sponsor, the nonprofit Faith in Public Life, describes itself as a progressive alliance seeking to transform the country's values debate beyond divisive issues. It calls for "justice, compassion and the common good."  "This poll shows a glimpse of the future," said Faith in Public Life spokeswoman Katie Paris. "The culture war is shifting, perhaps fading.""
Say It To My Face - TPM
"Late Update: Gov. Vilsack seems to be thinking along similar lines ..."

 
 

08 Oct

  
The Coming of Autumn
Although the Fall Color Report from Travel Wisconsin says color is at 75% in Iron County, you as locals know better.  The best is still ahead of us.  However, I put together this video to post on a suburban Chicago website.  It should tell those folks that it's about time for them to get up here and take a look. - Bob
There's a moose on the loose
"Several sightings of the moose on 10th Avenue North, Oak Street and 7th Avenue at Riccelli Park and the Hurley K-12 School followed the initial 9 a.m. report on Friday."
Hurley trail a walk in progress
"The walking trail along Wisconsin 77 from 10th Street to Cary Park has been open for almost a year, but further improvements are planned.  A committee is working to add to the trail so students and residents have a safe place to exercise and get to school."
Midgettes beat South Shore
"Hurley's Jeanna Aijala played well in the second game with four kills, Constantini said.  Judy Nevala had five kills and also played well for Hurley, Constantini said."
U.S. not coping with climate change: Dombeck
"Mike Dombeck, the Hayward native who served as head of the U.S. Forest Service under President Bill Clinton, says the United States has basically wasted the past eight years under the Bush administration in the fight against climate change."
Mutual Aid for Tribes
"The opinion requested by Oneida County Assistant Corporation Counsel Tom Wiensch said that tribal law enforcement agencies do not fall under the statutory definition of such agencies in the
mutual assistance statute."
Moose make rare treks through state’s urban areas
"The agency also has received numerous calls of a moose, believed to be a young male, as far south as near Gilman in Taylor County.  The DNR is not sure why moose are frequenting urban areas more than in past years - and biologists and ecologists are surprised to see them turning up so far south."
Officials can’t shield assets in blind trusts, board rules
"Board members ruled 5-0 Monday that state officials must detail their holdings in annual economic interest statements. The three will have to report those assets by April 30, when all state officials’ ethics statements are due.  “The compelling interest is in having an open disclosure so one can tell whether there are conflicts,” board member Gordon Myse said."
Wisconsin mercury standards clear Legislature
"The state Department of Natural Resources' plan calls for utilities to cut their mercury emissions by 90 percent by 2018. They can get another five years to reach that goal if they achieve significant reductions in other air pollutants."
Troubled Northern Wis. tribe elects new leader
"Carl W. Edwards is the new president of the Lac Du Flambeau Tribe. He defeated incumbent Victoria Doud in Tuesday's general election. The tribe says Edwards had 296 votes, and write-in candidate Betty Jo Graveen had 298. Doud finished third with 220."
[If those numbers are right... there should be trouble with the tribe. - Bob]
Tattoo gay men, clergyman writes  - BBC
"The Rev Peter Mullen, who ministers in the City of London, said he had gay friends and the words were "satirical".  He suggested in his internet blog that homosexuals should have their backsides tattooed with the slogan: "Sodomy can seriously damage your health".  The gay rights group Outrage described the comments as "Neanderthal"."
Make-Believe Maverick - Rollingstone
"This is the story of the real John McCain, the one who has been hiding in plain sight. It is the story of a man who has consistently put his own advancement above all else, a man willing to say and do anything to achieve his ultimate ambition: to become commander in chief, ascending to the one position that would finally enable him to outrank his four-star father and grandfather."
 

07 Oct

  
Mystery Madeline Island shipwreck gets Historical Society review
"Less than 30 feet long, the diminutive vessel underwater archeologists have dubbed the "Big Bay Sloop" is half-buried in mud and sand, its once stout planking and decking lying around it broken and rotting, just the stub of a foremast poking up through a shattered lower deck."
Russian delegates study Northland's eco-emphasis
"But some sentiments — like Northland College professor Joe Rose's response to the question, "Do Indian tribes war with each other today?" — transcended the language barrier without extra help.  "No," Rose responded with vigor. "We're at war with George Bush now!"  The visitors gleaned Rose's gist and tittered over their recognition of the president's name; one, a journalist named Denis Yermolov, exclaimed "George Bush!" in knowing response.
BCPL revenues almost double school aids distribution
"This is the second installment in a series of three... Despite the lack of any constitutional amendment - none is needed, they say - the BCPL carries out an expansive array of activities, from managing land for public recreational access to mitigating the impact of forest fragmentation to serving as a stewardship partner with other public agencies such as the DNR and the U.S. Forest Service.  In addition, rather than making provisions "for the sale of all school and university lands after they shall have been appraised," to quote the constitution, the commissioners are consolidating their holdings for the purpose of retaining land for long-term timber management."
AG: Tribal police not able to give or receive mutual aid
"The mutual assistance statute allows a law enforcement agency to request the aid of another law enforcement agency. The responding agency may then exercise law enforcement powers within the jurisdiction of the requesting agency, and responding personnel are considered employees of the requesting agency while acting in response to the request.  But, attorney general J.B. Van Hollen said last week, the statute does not apply to tribal law enforcement agencies operated by any of Wisconsin's 11 Native American tribes and bands."
Lack of icebreakers on Lake Michigan could disrupt winter deliveries
"Last winter showed how a lack of icebreaker ships could affect the shipping industry, Jim Weakley, president of the Lake Carriers Association, said in recent testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives.  Three shipping companies alone reported more than $1 million in ice damage to their vessels. On March 28, two ships collided in the Straits of Mackinac after one of them became stuck in the ice 15 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge."
More regulation of issue ads studied
"Board members will discuss how to regulate the ads further when they meet Nov. 11, but the rule-writing process could stretch well into 2009. Groups that run the ads have promised to fight any new regulations in court."
New policy bans blind trusts for Wisconsin state officials
""We have a very open system of government and the public has a right to know if there are conflicts of interest," said Gerald Nichol, a retired Dane County judge who is on the accountability board.  The operators of a blind trust have full discretion over the assets, and the trust beneficiaries have no knowledge of the holdings of the trust."
Climate change to increase chances of flooding, disease, researchers say 
"Extreme rainfall events in southern Wisconsin will become 10 to 40 percent stronger as the climate continues to change toward the end of the century, resulting in greater potential for flooding and waterborne diseases that often accompany high sewage diversion into Lake Michigan, University of Wisconsin researchers predict."
Polls: Most Oppose Pastors Endorsing Candidates - Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"LifeWay Research, a nonprofit associated with the Southern Baptist Convention, in June also conducted a poll on the subject. Their findings showed 85 percent of Americans disagreed with pastors making endorsements from pulpits.  “These are numbers that are hard to look at and not say, this is an overwhelming majority of Americans of almost every stripe,” said Ed Stetzer, the director at LifeWay Research."
Keating Economics: the Making of a Financial Crisis
"The current economic crisis demands that we understand John McCain's attitudes about economic oversight and corporate influence in federal regulation. Nothing illustrates the danger of his approach more clearly than his central role in the savings and loan scandal of the late '80s and early '90s."
 

06 Oct

  
Man in critical condition after ATV crash
"Albert Bitschenauer, 70, was attempting to cross LP Walsh Road near Potato Farm Road from a posted ATV trail in Ontonagon County when he was struck by a northbound truck driven by Gerald Nasi, 46, according to the MSPD."
Iron County is gearing up for Pumpkin Run
"Mother Nature is once again coming through for outdoor enthusiasts who are looking forward to one of the final all-terrain vehicles rides in Iron County as the four-day, sixth annual Pumpkin Run ATV Rally kicks into full speed Thursday."
Gourds galore
"Pumpkins were plentiful and so were children at the Saxon Berry Farm on Saturday. Families took advantage of the sun and mild weather to prepare for Halloween.  The Saxon Berry Farm on Wisconsin 122 north of Saxon has been owned and operated by Gail Olson and Ken Brace for 17 years."
Pellet plant concerns aired
"Mike Dally, an Appleton resident who also hopes to retire in the area, was one of those who requested the public hearing to receive more information. Like David, he said he had concerns about noise, as well as air and water quality and property values. While he still had reservations following the hearing, Dally said he'd be "hard-pressed" to continue opposing the project."
Young bull seen near Wal-Mart, Northland College
""As we walked out the door, we didn't even get off the steps when we saw this large male adult moose standing in the middle of Ellis Avenue, stopping traffic," Wahlberg said."
Cranberries Help the Community
"The festival not only helps local growers, but also Eagle River and its surrounding communities.  Emerson adds, "It brings over 40,000 people to our community and it's a great opportunity for people to enjoy the Northwoods during fall.""
ATV rider in critical condition
"According to police, 70-year-old Albert Bitschenauer was stuck by a semi-tractor trailer while attempting to cross LP Walsh Road from a posted ATV trail in Carp Lake Township.  The semi-tractor trailer driver, 46-year-old Gerald Nasi of Hurley, Wisconsin, tried to avoid the collision but was unable to."
Absentee balloting begins
"State officials expect about 15% of all ballots this year to be cast as absentee votes, including by those who visit local election offices and vote in advance in person."
Farmers frustrated by ruling on wolves
"“All it means is the wolves win,” said Merrill Rosenwinkel of Herbster, in northern Bayfield County. “It is discouraging is what it is. It would be nice if we could go back to when there weren’t any wolves here.”"
Editorial: Make impartial justice an election issue
"Wisconsinites who are disgusted by the excessive spending and even more excessive negativity of the presidential race -- and we suspect that includes just about everyone -- well recognize that the pathologies of presidential politics are beginning to define competition for the state's highest court bench."
State agency zeroes in on Oneida, Vilas for major land purchases
""The trust funds' beneficiaries gain from the land bank program through the sale of nonproductive Trust Lands which are being replaced with lands that can generate timber revenue, which in turn builds the principal of the Trust Funds," she said. "The general public benefits from increased access to public lands for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation.""
In Wisconsin, bigger definitely is better
"No piece of folk art symbolizes its hometown better than the World's Largest Corkscrew in Hurley, which might well be the drinkingest town in Wisconsin: Its main drag is packed with saloons.  The 24-foot high corkscrew actually is on U.S. Highway 2, in front of the Corkscrew Liquor Store. Owner Robert Vittone welded it himself out of stainless steel tubing."
Christian Security Forces Growing Stronger In Iraq
"Many residents are delighted to see Christians standing up to defend themselves. Some, however, worry about the political implications of this latest sectarian armed force in Iraq and wonder where its money is coming from.  A few years ago, Christian churches were being bombed and thousands of Christian families in Baghdad and elsewhere were terrorized into fleeing their homes. Many of them wound up in the north, where they seem to be thriving."
McCain Plans Federal Health Cuts - The Wall Street Journal
"John McCain would pay for his health plan with major reductions to Medicare and Medicaid, a top aide said, in a move that independent analysts estimate could result in cuts of $1.3 trillion over 10 years to the government programs."
  • Newly discovered bugs has potential to crash Internet systems - TechRepublic - Louisville,KY
    "In a statement, Senator Russ Feingold noted that the decision to propose this legislation comes on the wake of the failure of the Department of Homeland Security to furnish information pertaining to searches of electronic devices and any limitations on its scope and power."
  • Senator worries Google ad money will be like crack for Yahoo - Ars Technica - Boston,MA
    "But at least one US Senator feels that this isn't sufficient. Herb Kohl (D-WI) has released an open letter in which he calls on the DoJ to monitor how the deal evolves, and be prepared to step in at any point it decides that competition for search ads has been harmed."
04&05 Oct  
Iron County leaders discuss issues with AG
"More than 25 local and state representatives met at the Iron County Courthouse Friday to discuss issues ranging from crimes to tax levies, to election rules. Internet crimes against children and repeat drunk driving offenses took a majority of the time."
Drowning listed as cause of Arizona man's death
"An autopsy was performed on James E. Organist, a summer resident of Saxon, Wis., who was fishing with a companion in the river. Organist's fishing companion was upstream, near Superior Falls, and when he walked back down the river, he discovered his friend's body floating in shallow water."
Midgets blast Vikings
"Hurley gave Baraga no life by smothering every Viking push with a big play in a 30-6 Great Conference win Friday night at Veterans Memorial Field.  The Midgets improved to 4-2 overall, 3-2 in the conference, against Baraga's tough running attack."
Cranberry Exports
"Japanese marketing experts will be in central Wisconsin next week with one goal in mind- increasing cranberries consumption in Japan.  The team will visit cranberry bogs and manufacturing plants near Wisconsin Rapids and Tomah on Monday and Tuesday to learn about different varieties of cranberries and how the harvest is done."
Learning in Retirement
"Paul Ehlers is a geology instructor. He says, "It may be hard to imagine at one time. Northern Wisconsin was under water and an ocean, but that's exactly what it was two billion years ago."  Joe Dame, of Rhinelander, says, "I didn't know it was basalt, so I learned there are morphologic features and I learned what the significance of that tear drop is.""
Oshkosh Northwestern Sharron Lee Clark
"Mrs. Sharron Lee Clark, age 66 of Hurley, Wisconsin, formerly of Lohrville, died Wednesday afternoon, October 1, 2008 at home surrounded by her loving family."
Farmer challenges Obey in 7th Congressional district
"Mielke has never run for public office and acknowledges he faces an uphill battle to unseat Obey, who has served in the House since 1969. Two years ago, when the Democrats won a majority, Obey became chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which controls government spending."
Chicago’s electric carp barrier hits a snag
"The $9 million contraption designed to repel the jumbo - and jumping - Asian carp was finished nearly 2 1/2 years ago. It was conceived in a desperate attempt to stop the fish that have already infested the middle of the continent from gobbling their way up a canal that is an artificial link between the Mississippi River basin and the Great Lakes.  The fish are within a two-day swim of Lake Michigan."
Surge in Asian carp could lead to expanded range
"“Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, it did get worse. A lot worse,” says Matt O’Hara, a researcher with the Illinois Natural History Survey in Havana, Ill.  The bighead and slightly smaller jumping silver carp pose the most immediate threat of the four species of Asian carp that have gotten loose in the Mississippi River watershed."
  Bush signs agreement to protect Great Lakes water
"Approval of the Great Lakes Compact was the final step in a nearly decade-long quest to strengthen legal protections for the five Great Lakes, their connecting channels and the St. Lawrence River. It received bipartisan support and the backing of business and environmental groups and both presidential candidates."
Absentee voting to begin in Wisconsin this week
"About 12 percent of voters cast absentee ballots in the 2004 presidential election, and Wisconsin elections officials are expecting a slight increase this year.  Some clerks say they are adding staff to handle an influx of early voters expected because of the high interest in the presidential race."
New mercury rules to clear Wisconsin Legislature 
"Republicans and their allies complain power companies will spend hundreds of millions of dollars to comply and shift that burden onto customers. But supporters, including Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, say the package will result in a cleaner, healthier environment."
Farmers get help selling food to grocers 
"The day-long workshop, which costs $20 and includes materials and lunch, is called Food Marketing Essentials: Accessing Local Markets. It will take place Nov. 14 at Western Technical College in Viroqua and is sponsored by the UW Extension, the Wisconsin Grocers Association and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer protection with a grant from the North Central Risk Management Education Center."
Music on hold for city players
Musicians of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra went on strike Wednesday night during a scheduled rehearsal and have cancelled tonight’s concert at the Overture Center. It is the first time in the orchestra’s history a strike forced the cancellation of a performance.
[Meanwhile the UW Marching Band gets headlines for youthfal transgressions... Go Figure. - Bob]
Robertson foresees nuclear war - Raw Story
"Christian Broadcasting Network co-founder Pat Robertson, in a new update to his Web site, states that, "we have between 75 and 120 days before the Middle East starts spinning out of control.""
Palin failed to pay taxes on her per diem payments - Unbossed.com
"In an overview of Sarah Palin's tax returns for 2006 and 2007, which she has finally released, the Associated Press reports that Palin neglected to pay the taxes due on $17,000 she received in per diem payments as Governor of Alaska. A McCain campaign official claims, falsely, that Palin owed no taxes on those payments."
McCain's Brazilian love life: A great kisser, but president?
"''I called him John but also my darling and my sweet coconut,'' she said. "He was a great kisser. I liked it so much that I bought a book to learn how to kiss myself.''  Asked afterward about whether he was suggesting that McCain's fling with a Latin hottie counted as Latin America foreign policy experience, Fontaine said: ''The only thing I was trying to convey was that his experience goes back a long way.''"
03 Oct  
STATEMENT ON ECONOMIC RESCUE PLAN
"For all of my 39 years in congress I fought against trickle down economics and the mindless deregulation that have produced today's economic crisis... The boy geniuses on Wall Street do not deserve to be rescued. But if they fall off their perch at the top of the economic ladder, they will crush innocent people far down that ladder on lower rungs. "

Click for video of Cong. Obey’s statement on the House Floor.
Seniors flock to Apple Festival kickoff
"Soon the party's name changed to suit its fruity focus, and now — 47 years later — it annually attracts thousands who swarm the sleepy town's historic streets in search of local cuisine, crafts and company."
Dead body found on LCO Reservation
"The location is within the Town of Bass Lake, Sawyer County, on the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation.  The Sawyer County Coroner was called to the scene and pronounced the subject deceased at 5:30 p.m., according to a news release from the LCO Police Department."
  Drummond boys, Hurley girls win Copperud Open
"Hurley's Hailey Manzanares led Hurley with a third-place finish in 15:57.2. Chanel Youngs placed sixth for the Midgettes in 16:49.6, followed by teammates Erin Gulan (17:17.2) and Miranda Manzanares (17:24.1). Hurley's Erin Worzalla came in 10th in 17:32.3."
No go for Gile PO
"Postal Service officials have been trying to resolve safety and health issues since the Gile facility was downgraded from full-service on Feb. 14, 2003, Rask said. Patrons now pick up their mail from boxes inside the building.  Prior to the 2003 full-service closure, postal service officials said restrooms would have to be constructed in the facility, and adequate lighting added."
Bicyclists rank Wisconsin number two in country
"In 1965, Wisconsin was the first state to convert abandoned railway beds into recreational trails, promoting hiking, biking, snowmobiling and some all-terrain vehicle use, according to the Department of Natural Resources.  "Our state trail system is among the best in the country and is an important contributor to the quality of life in Wisconsin," said WDNR secretary Matt Frank."
Wisconsin cougars presentation set
"Eric Anderson will present Wisconsin Cougars: Their History, Status and Potential Future. The presentation will include up-to-date research on the presence of cougars in Wisconsin."
  • Midgettes stop Butternut-Glidden
    "In game one, the Midgettes took a 7-3 lead and put the cruise control on. Hurley extended its lead to 19-9.  Hurley seniors Brittany Czerneski and Kayla Windt both had two kills and one ace. Junior Tara Nelmark also added a block."
  • Midgettes win conference meet
    ""They all ran really well," Hurley coach Chris Tweiten said. "We had all seven of our varsity runners finish in the top 15, so that was a great accomplishment."  Hurley has won both of the conference meets so far."
Wildwood Wildlife Park in Minocqua Burglarized
"One of the worst things about the money being stolen is that it's used to feed more than 760 animals here... The zoo relies solely on donations and isn't funded through the city or state. It's been around for more than 50 years, and and is popular with many people."
Wis. pantries call for emergency shipments of food
"The executive director of the Hunger Task Force in Milwaukee says it had five emergency food orders last month, which is rare and significant.  Sherri Tussler says emergency shipments went to food pantries in Milwaukee and the suburbs of South Milwaukee, West Allis and Waukesha."
Audit disputes state’s policy
"The finding raises questions about the accuracy of cost-benefit analyses the state performs before deciding to hire private contractors to take over state work. Those analyses are required under a 2006 law, but unions have complained that administrators have made unfair cost assumptions that benefit contractors."
New mercury rules clear Wisconsin Legislature
"State pollution officials have proposed a rule that would require utilities to slash mercury emissions by 90 percent over the next decade.  Companies could delay that by another five years if they make reductions in other pollutants.  Republican lawmakers had objected to the rule,..."
WHEDA stops issuing new mortgages 
"The financial meltdown on Wall Street is hitting the state's biggest low-income mortgage lender.  The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, or WHEDA, has suspended issuing new mortgages because it's having a hard time selling tax-exempt bonds to investors."
Reward offered for info in illegal sandhill crane shooting 
"An unspecified reward has been posted by for information on the shooting, which is thought to have occurred in late August in the area of U.S. Highway 54 and 32nd Street near the Wisconsin River in Wisconsin Rapids.  The crane hung around the area, with an arrow protruding from its body, and was finally captured on Sept. 28. Since that time the bird has been in a rehabilitation facility in Antigo, and the arrow has been removed."
Gary Dorrien: What Kind of Country? - Religion and Ethics Newsweekly
"We are witnessing the end of an era in American politics, when the winning strategy was to denigrate government and to assure that wealth from the top would eventually trickle down. The religion of the market is giving way to something else, on the doorstep of an election; witness John McCain screaming against the Security and Exchange Commission as though he had not spent the past 30 years advocating deregulation."
What McKiernan Really Said - TPM
"In tonight's debate, Sarah Palin mischaracterized statements by the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. David McKiernan, in which he said that an Iraq-like "surge" would not be appropriate for Afghanistan."
 

02 Oct

  
Gogebic - Iron Waste Water Authority Short Changes Township and Hurley
"Hurley can vote on many things that come before the board except that the "Board" can not vote to expend money! The "Authority" (which excludes Hurley) gets the final say as to paying for or not paying for anything. At the same time by eliminating Hurley from the voting process the Ironwood City Gang can and does out vote the representatives of Ironwood Township."
Recycling regulations altered for Iron County
""We no longer need to separate our recyclables into five receptacles, only two," recycling coordinator Lori Prenderville said on Wednesday...  "It's brought to Minneapolis and put on a large conveyor belt, where air pressures separate the items while on the conveyor belt," she explained."
Xcel seeks OK for $70 million Ashland project
"Xcel plans to add a biomass gasification unit to allow one of the facility's boilers to be converted from coal to synthetic gas produced from wood waste.  Two of the Ashland plant's operating units now burn wood waste directly, and the third unit would operate on the gas conversion process."
Midgets, Gladiators celebrate homecoming
"Friday's game, which is Hurley's homecoming, should be good. Hurley coach Scott Erickson isn't sure how good either team is.  "I think it will be a measuring stick for both teams," he said.  The Midgets are at full strength for the first time this season. That will help in some ways, but Hurley isn't going to change what it's doing, Erickson said."
  • Success 'looms' for area artist
    "Weaver and fiber artist Mary Burns of Manitowish won Best of Show at the 44th Annual Wausau Festival of Arts last month.  "I am just thrilled," Burns said Monday from her Manitowish River Studio."
  • Fall art tour turns focus away from foliage
    "The fall tour, in its second year, is a new addition to the 9-year-old summer tour of Wisconsin's Northwoods, which this year included 23 sites in a rough triangle from Mercer in the north to Tomahawk in the south and Eagle River to the east."
Curious bear causes Manitou Island closure
"A Yogi Bear wannabe is apparently the cause of an Apostle Islands National Lakeshore directive that temporarily closes Manitou Island to visitors.  The closure was announced Thursday in the interests of visitor and staff safety, says Lakeshore Superintendent Bob Krumenaker."
Bank Accounts Safe and Secure
"Diane Sowinski is the Marketing Director with Ripco Credit Union. She says, "They hear about bank failures and think back to the depression, they're worried if they want to withdrawal money they can't, that is not the case here."  Sowinski says your money is safe because it's insured up to 100,000 dollars and they're not writing loans to people who can't afford them."
Foreclosures in southeastern Wisconsin jump 18% in September
"Statewide, foreclosures rose nearly 10%, to 2,066 in September from 1,880 in August, according to Madison-based ForeclosureAlarm.com, which tracks and analyzes the filings.  Philip Crawford, founder of ForeclosureAlarm.com, said most of the foreclosures in September were on subprime mortgages that went bad."
Doyle backs Appleton's unfair trade complaint
"Gov. Jim Doyle is urging a U.S. commission to back a Wisconsin paper company's complaint that it has suffered from unfair trade practices by Chinese and German companies."
Judge allows NAACP to join Wis. voter suit
"The NAACP and a Milwaukee teachers union can participate in a lawsuit demanding election workers verify tens of thousands of voters' identities by Election Day, a judge ruled Thursday."
Health care worker shortage expected to get worse
"A new report from the Wisconsin Hospital Association said that by 2010 hospitals will be competing with each other for a much smaller pool of workers to fill job vacancies.  The largest percentage of vacancies and the most difficult to fill are in therapist positions, according to the 2008 Health Care Workforce Report released Thursday by the WHA."
Southern Baptists bar women from pulpit, yet open to Palin as VP - Minneapolis Star Tribune
"Within the nation's largest Protestant denomination, a woman may not lead a church or a home. But prominent Southern Baptists see nothing wrong with Sarah Palin serving as vice president — or perhaps even commander-in-chief someday.  In other words: A woman can run the White House, just not her own house."
Late Show - George W. Bush: How'd He Do?
"Has President Bush lived up to any of his promises? David Letterman takes a look. "
 

01 Oct

  
Outstanding Legislator Award” from Wisconsin Counties Association
"“Senator Jauch has been a longtime advocate of county government and because of his efforts, counties and ultimately, the taxpayers, were able to realize many victories this past legislative session,” said WCA Executive Director Mark D. O’Connell. “We commend him for his ongoing leadership and are appreciative of all his work on behalf of Wisconsin’s 72 counties.”"
Ride with the Rep - Sherman to hold public availability on BART Bus
"State Representative Gary Sherman (D – Port Wing) announced this week that he will be riding the Bay Area Rural Transit (BART) bus in order to make himself available to constituents who want to speak with him. The date is Monday, October 6th. Gary will board the bus at Red Cliff New Housing at 6:45 am."
Wolf ruling a 'disappointment'
"Since all gray wolves were lumped together and placed on the Endangered Species list in 1978 — rather than as distinct sub-populations — Friedman said the law is unclear whether the federal government can remove sub-populations from the Endangered Species list, said Adrian Wydeven, conservation biologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources."
Sheriff not required to repay process service fees
"Ironwood attorney Anthony Stella, who was district attorney/corporation counsel at the time, said he informed Ekmark that Wisconsin Act 181, prohibiting retention of fees by the sheriff took effect in January 1989.  That's when Ekmark stopped retaining the fees."
Iron, Ashland jobless rates improve in August
"Iron County's jobless rate improved from 7 percent in July to 6.4 percent in August. It was also 6.4 percent in August 2007. That moved Iron County from the second worst jobless rate in the state to third worst."
Midgettes stop Bayfield
""We came out ready to play," Midgettes coach Liz Constantini said. "We dominated pretty much the entire game."  Hurley's Hailey Manzanares served well in the first game and Stephanie Nevala did the same in the third game, Constantini said."
Lioness blood drive set at Mercer
"The Mercer Lioness will sponsor a Community Blood Drive from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the Community Center in Mercer."
Man Siphoning Gasoline Uses Lighter as Flashlight
"Police in Mukwonago say a man wound up arrested and suffering from burns after he used a lighter to see as he tried to siphon gasoline from a van."
Economy Hurting Food Pantries
"Pam tells Newswatch 12, "This is all money and goods, we're very grateful for because it all adds up, and that's what's made this food pantry work over the years is the generosity of our community over the years. And we understand the people are hurting across the board."  But even though donations are down, they're seeing an increase in the number of people coming through."
Disaster Planning
"Berndt tells Newswatch 12, "It was really an eye opening experience I think for a lot of the people to get them thinking about what would they do in the case of, that their normal routine of their business got altered.""
Protection status of swan, osprey evaluated
"The trumpeter swan is listed as endangered, and the osprey is listed as threatened. The goal of the program is to remove species from protected status.  In 2008, officials counted 126 trumpeter swan breeding pairs in 20 Wisconsin counties. The population for osprey has been above 400 pairs since 2003."
Stem cells not an issue in race
"The political battle never slowed down stem cell research in Wisconsin," Doyle declared during his speech at the World Stem Cell Summit at the Alliant Energy Center, according to WisPolitics.com. "The battle in political terms is really over in the state."
LSD official says town could help solve odor problem
"McCallum, though, said he was hearing complaints from more than just the developer and the residents of Morgan Oaks. People on Lake Kawaguesaga and Lake Minocqua were complaining, too, he said. He said former town chairman and current economic development task force chairman Don Gauger lived five miles away and Gauger had told him he too could smell the plant on any given day."
Evangelicals see moral decline in Wall St. woes - Reuters
"Conservative U.S. Christians say the culture has gone to hell and it has taken the economy and Wall Street down with it.  It is a view which outsiders may find puzzling but has wide resonance in the U.S. heartland: the notion that moral decay and a lost sense of responsibility has brought on the worst banking and credit crisis since the Great Depression."
Bush costs prompt exodus to cities
"With growing evidence of an Alaska Native exodus from villages to the city, Mayor Mark Begich and Schools Superintendent Carol Comeau sent a letter to Gov. Sarah Palin on Monday asking her to organize an emergency task force to find ways to stem the migration... Palin was at Sen. John McCain's Arizona ranch Monday preparing for the vice-presidential candidates' debate,..."

Shadegg: Pelosi's Speech Had Nothing to Do With Bailout Defeat - TPM
"The House Republican leadership's explanation that they lost their caucus on the bailout because of Nancy Pelosi's floor speech was transparently false on it face, but Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ) removed whatever doubt might have remained this morning on MSNBC:"