KISS

Ministry takeover of Affinity won't impact jobs

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:24:00 CST

Ministry Health Care is taking over the Affinity Health System, including all of its hospitals and clinics.

Ministry CEO Nick Desien announced the move yesterday. Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare had been a co-sponsor.

Desien says the move makes sense.

The change will impact St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh, and Calumet Medical Center in Chilton. Affinity's 26 clinics and the Network Health Plan are also part of the deal.

Affinity CEO Dan Neufelder says there are no plans to cut jobs, or add more. He says they're studying whether to change the name.

Appleton police release internal affairs figures

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:22:00 CST

The Appleton police department internal affairs division received 13 complaints last year, and nearly half of them were found to have merit.

Sgt. Pat DeWall says the violations included complaints of conduct unbecoming of an officer, neglect of duty ,failing to complete an investigation , abuse of supervisory authority, and failing to conduct a proper investigation.

DeWall says the 13 complaints is about average, and that's very low for a department with 130 employees, and more than 50,000 calls for service each year.

Brown Co. SWAT team trains in house

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:21:00 CST

A house in De Pere is going to be torn down to make room for parking at St. Norbert College, but before that happens, Brown County's SWAT team had a chance to use it for training yesterday.

The team covered three scenarios -- a drug raid, an armed standoff, and serving a warrant.

De Pere Officer Jed Bradley says last week's triple murder-suicide didn't come up. But he says the department will analyze that incident, and they might incorporate it into a future training exercise.

Coach from 'Remember the Titans' visits FVTC

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:20:00 CST

A high school football coach whose story was on the "big screen" more than a decade ago, brought his message of team-building and leadership to Fox Valley Technical College last night.

Bill Yoast was an assistant on the 1971 T.C. Williams team that was immortalized in the movie "Remember the Titans."

He says three high schools in the district merged that year, so they had to get the team to come together, when there were tensions over race and egos.

The team went on to win the Virginia state championship that year. Yoast says many of them still work together, on the Titans Foundation.

Yoast says they raise money for college scholarships for T.C. Williams graduates. He says 25 to 30 of the team members are actively involved in the foundation.

Sen. Vinehout to run in possible recall election

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:45:00 CST

Another Democrat is pledging to run against Governor Walker, if there's a recall election.

Democratic state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout of Alma joined former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk as the only Democrats in the possible race to take on Governor Walker.

Vinehout says she decided to run after getting support from people across the state.

Vinehout is one of the 14 Democratic senators who fled to Illinois for three weeks last year, to block a vote on Walker's collective bargaining bill.

The 53-year-old Vinehout was first elected in 2006. She says her relatively short time in office makes her a good choice for governor, because she's not set in her ways.

Vinehout's family runs a dairy farm in western Wisconsin, and she's a former college professor.

She doesn't think her lack of name recognition will hurt her, because people are paying attention to the race, and she has time to spread her message.

Other Democrats are also considering a run for governor, if the Government Accountability Board calls for a recall election.

Attorneys weigh in on prelim. hearing bill

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:44:00 CST

Some attorneys are concerned that a proposal to streamline criminal prosecutions in the state could impact the use of preliminary hearings.

Republican Sen. Glenn Grothman of West Bend wants to allow all forms of hearsay in those hearings, and those attorneys say that will make it difficult to show there's not enough evidence to proceed with the case. Calumet County prosecutor Doug Jones says preliminary hearings are time consuming.

Appleton defense attorney Mike Rudolph says he doesn't believe many attorneys misuse preliminary hearings. He says they're often necessary to prevent innocent people from sitting in jail, awaiting trial on a flawed case. He also rejects the argument that preliminary hearings should be eliminated because of cost. Rudolph says economics shouldn't determine justice.

A legislative panel is holding a hearing on the bill today.

Automated recycling working well in Kimberly

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:43:00 CST

Appleton might join a handful of other Fox Cities communities, by implementing an automated collection system for recycling.

People would use the same kind of carts they have for their garbage. Kimberly put its system in place in 2009, and Village Administrator Rick Hermes says they've seen an increase in recycling, and a decrease in garbage.

Hermes says the system is also more efficient. He says it used to take three workers 4.5 days to collect all of the garbage in the village. He says it now only takes one worker three days.

Appleton is considering switching to recycling carts, and the city's municipal services committee will talk about the possibility in the coming weeks.

Officials don't expect to make any changes until next year.

Chvala: Walker wise to cooperate with probe

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:42:00 CST

A former Democratic state senator convicted in the Capitol caucus scandal in 2002, says Governor Walker is wise to cooperate with an ongoing John Doe investigation.

Prosecutors are looking into possible illegal campaign activity in the Milwaukee County executive's office, while Walker was the county exec.

Former Senate Majority Leader Chuck Chvala says unless Walker himself is indicted, an anticipated recall election will be decided on his record.

Chvala says even without charges, he feels Governor Walker could lose because of his unwillingness to compromise with the other side.

Walker says he's agreed to meet with Milwaukee County prosecutors about the John Doe investigation.

Chvala served nine months in jail, and two years on probation, after pleading guilty to felony counts of misconduct in office.

Ministry Health Care taking over Affinity

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:41:00 CST

One of the partner organizations that runs Affinity Health System, is taking sole control of its hospitals.

Ministry Health Care announced today, that Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare will no longer be involved in running the health system.

The move adds Saint Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton, Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh, Calumet Medical Center in Chilton, and Network Health Plan, to its network of hospitals in northern and central Wisconsin.

The CEO of the Milwaukee-based health care organization says having sole control of Affinity, will help to cut costs, and improve their infrastructure.

Lawmakers hearing from ag industry

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:40:00 CST

Farmers and others in the agriculture industry are talking with state lawmakers about a variety of topics today.

It's the annual "Ag Day" at the Capitol. Paul Zimmerman of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation says they'll stress the importance of agriculture.

Zimmerman says the topics will include food security, trade, the U.S. farm bill, wetlands, air emissions, and livestock siting.

Ribble pushing for term limits in Congress

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:25:00 CST

A Sherwood lawmaker wants to amend the U.S. Constitution, to put term limits on federal lawmakers.

Republican Congressman Reid Ribble says senators and congressmen shouldn't be allowed to serve more than 12 years in office.

He says it won't be easy to make the change, because a constitutional amendment has to pass the House of Representatives, and the Senate by two-thirds votes. It also has to pass referendums in three-quarters of the states.

In addition to the 12-year limit, Ribble's proposal also changes a term in the House of Representatives from two, to four years, and grandfathers in current lawmakers. He says that could help him gain more support, because lawmakers wouldn't be voting themselves out of a job.

Ribble says even if his amendment fails, he'll live by his campaign promise of serving a maximum of eight years.

Appleton considering automated recycling carts

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:24:00 CST

Appleton's public works department is recommending that the city switch to an automated cart recycling system.

Director Paula Vandehey says they hope it would encourage more people to recycle, so they keep more items out of the garbage. She says the city pays $44 per ton, to dump garbage in the county landfill.

Vandehey says other communities have seen an increase in recycling with the larger carts.

Vandehey says they might make changes to their overflow garbage pickup as well.

The city is also exploring whether to charge businesses for garbage pickup, if they have three or fewer containers. Vandehey says it wouldn't cost anything for one, 35-gallon cart, but the weekly fees would climb to around $7 for three 90-gallon carts.

The city's municipal services committee will consider the possibilities in the coming weeks. Any changes wouldn't happen until next year.

Groups still plan to review recall petitions

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:23:00 CST

Outside groups can't file their own challenges to recall signatures, but that isn't stopping them from pouring over the petitions.

Ross Brown of the Tea Party group "We the People for Wisconsin" says they want to uphold the integrity of elections.

Government Accountability Board director Kevin Kennedy says under state law, the agency can only accept challenges from GAB staff, and office holders who are facing the recall.

The Tea Party groups plan to post their findings online, so the campaigns can see them.

Wis. group encouraged by gay marriage ruling

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:22:00 CST

A federal appeals court ruled yesterday that California's ban on gay marriage violates the civil rights of gay people, and a Wisconsin group is encouraged by the news.

The case is now likely headed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and justices there could rule on all gay marriage bans in the country.

Katie Belanger is the executive director of Fair Wisconsin. She says her group is trying to convince lawmakers to repeal Wisconsin's gay marriage ban, instead of going through the courts.

Repealing Wisconsin's gay marriage ban would also require voters to approve a statewide referendum.

FVTC program helps people find jobs

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:21:00 CST

The head of a program that helps people find jobs says there's a misconception that there aren't many positions out there for people over 50.

Chris Czarnik of Fox Valley Technical College started a 50/50 Club for those making at least $50,000 in a new career. He says their JobSeekers network is actually open to people of all ages, and they focus on turning a job search into a research process.

Czarnik says their programs are open to the public.

Funeral set for victims of triple murder-suicide

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:25:00 CST

Funeral arrangements are in place for the victims of last Friday's triple murder-suicide in De Pere.

44-year-old Michelle Bay, and her two children, 14-year-old Andrea and 10-year-old Daniel, will be laid to rest Thursday, in Sturgeon Bay. A memorial service is set for 7 p.m. at Moravian Church.

There's a visitation beforehand, from 5 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

They were shot and killed by 46-year-old Denis Bay, at their home on S. Erie Street. Denis Bay's services will be separate, and the details are being kept private.

School hosting joint visitation in Campbellsport

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:24:00 CST

There will be a visitation at Campbellsport high school on Thursday, for all three students killed in a weekend rollover crash.

15-year-old Sabrina Stahl, 16-year-old Katie Berg, and 17-year-old Catlin Scannel lost their lives when the driver of an SUV lost control on a country road.

The joint visitation will run from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Their funerals are scheduled for different times on Friday, at separate churches.

Six other teens were in the SUV, and they were all hurt.

Watchdog reacts to GOP secrecy on redistricting

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:45:00 CST

A government watchdog says the confidentiality agreements that Republican lawmakers had to sign during the redistricting process shows how far the state has fallen, when it comes to openness.

Jay Heck of Common Cause says it's disturbing that legislative leaders forced GOP lawmakers to take a vow of secrecy.

It was the first time in decades that one party had control over the process of redrawing the state's political boundaries after a census. Heck says it would be best if an independent panel did the job.

Heck says even though one party is in charge, the redistricting process has cost the state $400,000 in attorney fees.

Dem candidate Falk stops in G.B. during tour

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:44:00 CST

The only Democratic candidate who is officially in the anticipated recall race for governor is touring the state over the next two days.

Former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk is making a handful of stops, and she was at the Brown County public library in Green Bay over the noon hour.

Falk says Wisconsin is the only state in the country to lose jobs in each of the last six months, and she believes she can do better.

Falk says her top priorities are jobs, education, health care, and clean air and water.

Several other Democrats are also considering a run against Governor Walker, if there is an election.

UW-Oshkosh recognized for sustainability

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:43:00 CST

A national organization is recognizing UW-Oshkosh, for its sustainability efforts.

Mike Lizotte is the school's sustainability director. He says UW-Oshkosh is the only school in the state, and one of 25 in North America, to get the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education's "gold" rating.

Lizotte says the school takes sustainability seriously and it's included in everything from the campus lighting, to its curriculum.

Lizotte says only about 16 percent of the schools that apply for the "gold" rating, actually get it.

Goodwill offering tax help

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:42:00 CST

People who make less than $50,000 a year can get their taxes prepared for free at Goodwill's Menasha campus.

Marijo Upshaw is the non-profit's financial services leader. She says they can handle many common tax forms, and their volunteers typically prepare about one-thousand income tax returns each year. Upshaw says they're very busy right now.

But she says they're offering an online service this year, for people who want to do their taxes now, but don't want to wait in line.

Goodwill offers the tax preparation services from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons, and Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.

A list of other places to get free tax preparation services is on the IRS website.

Public gets tease of 'Million Dollar Quartet'

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:41:00 CST

Actors from a Broadway musical that opens tonight at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, gave a noon-hour preview today.

"Million Dollar Quartet" focuses on a night when Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins played together at Sun Records in Memphis.

Lee Ferris plays Perkins in the musical, and he says their 20-minute performance at the City Center showed people that it isn't an ordinary production. He says the show has a concert feel to it.

Ferris says they put on the teaser show in every city they play. He says people get into it, because they recognize a lot of the songs.

"Million Dollar Quartet" runs through Sunday, at the Fox Cities PAC.

Appleton woman reflects on De Pere tragedy

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:25:00 CST

A woman who lost a good friend to a murder-suicide says she knows the pain the friends and family of a De Pere family are going through.

De Pere police say 46-year-old Denis Bay killed his wife Michelle, and their two children last Friday before turning the gun on himself.

Heather Severson says in December of 2009, her friend, Tracy Judd, and Judd's daughter were murdered by Judd's boyfriend. Tyrone Adair also killed another daughter and her mother, and later shot himself.

Severson says she was devastated, and had no idea there were problems in the relationship. She says those close to the Bay family are probably going through the same emotions.

Severson says she's been raising money for domestic abuse shelters, and speaking to high school students about bad relationships.

De Pere police say they don't know what led to the Bay family murder-suicide, but the couple was going through a divorce.

Walker says DA requested meeting with him

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:24:00 CST

Governor Walker says he voluntarily agreed to sit down with Milwaukee County's district attorney, after the DA requested a meeting with him, about an ongoing John Doe investigation.

That investigation is looking into whether people in the Milwaukee County executive's office were campaigning on public time, while Walker was the county executive.

Walker says he had a "strict policy" against aides doing campaign work on the public dime. He says he proved that when former aide Darlene Wink resigned after news surfaced that she violated the policy.

Walker says his office has turned over thousands of emails to the Milwaukee County DA's office as part of the investigation. He says he's ready for a face-to-face meeting, but he'll leave it up to the DA to set a time.

Five people who were Walker aides or appointees, face felony charges from the investigation.

Campbellsport crash victims had 'girls night out'

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:22:00 CST

The Campbellsport teens who were involved in a weekend accident, were having a sleep-over.

Fond du Lac County Sheriff Mick Fink says they went to a Fond du Lac restaurant, and decided to toilet paper a friend's house in Eden on their way home. He says they were just out having a good time, on a girls night out, and investigators don't believe alcohol was a factor.

Fink says their SUV rolled over numerous times in a field, and emergency crews had heavy hearts after seeing the scene.

Two of the girls were pronounced dead at the scene, and a third died at a Milwaukee-area hospital on Sunday.

Kaukauna to decide fate of Main Ave. bridge

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:21:00 CST

The future of the Main Avenue bridge that leads to downtown Kaukauna is up in the air, and a decision could come very soon.

Pat Skalecki of Graef Engineering says Kaukauna Utilities is going to draw down the water in the canal this summer. He says the options include not replacing the bridge, building a pedestrian bridge, and putting in a similar bridge.

Skalecki says the city would save money by having a dry canal, so it makes sense to move quickly.

Skalecki says they inspected the nearly 80-year-old bridge last November, and determined it needs to be removed within five years.

The city held a public informational meeting on the issue last evening.

'Million Dollar Quartet' debuts at PAC

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:20:00 CST

The Broadway musical "Million Dollar Quartet" makes its debut in Appleton tonight.

It's at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center for eight shows, running through Sunday night.

PAC spokeswoman Maria Van Laanen says it focuses on a night when Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins were together at Sun Records in Memphis.

Van Laanen says tickets are still available. The musical is part of the PAC's "Broadway Across America" series.

Triple murder-suicide investigation nearly done

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:45:00 CST

Authorities still have to wait for results of toxicology tests, but other than that, De Pere's police chief says the investigation into last Friday's triple murder-suicide is finished.

Chief Derek Beiderwieden says the autopsies over the weekend confirmed their suspicions. He says 46-year-old Denis Bay killed his 44-year-old wife Michelle, 14-year-old daughter Andrea, and 10-year-old son Daniel, before he turned his gun on himself.

There's a makeshift memorial near the house in the 1200 block of S. Erie Street. People are putting stuffed animals, flowers, and other items at a stop sign.

Harbor House reacts to De Pere murders

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:44:00 CST

A group that supports victims of domestic abuse says the recent murders in De Pere highlight the need for education and resources for people who find themselves in an abusive relationship.

Beth Schnorr of Harbor House in Appleton says the shootings are heartbreaking. She says it's often most dangerous when a victim is about to leave, or recently left an abusive situation. She says that's when a perpetrator's tactics are most likely to escalate.

Schnorr says that may include targeting the entire family.

She says it's important for domestic abuse victims to have a strong support system as they try to break away from the abuser.

Schnorr says the community needs to educate young people about the warning signs of a potentially abusive and controlling relationship, so they can get out of that situation.

Campbellsport mourns 3 teens killed in crash

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:43:00 CST

The hallways at Campbellsport high school were quiet this morning, while students mourned the deaths of three of their classmates.

Three girls were killed, and six others were hurt, when a SUV rolled over into a field, near the high school, early Saturday morning.

Principal Kristen Langer says the conditions of the six injured girls have not worsened.

She says counselors are meeting with students in the school library today. Students can also watch videos there, look at pictures of the girls, and leave messages for them in notebooks.

Langer says the girls were friends who played volleyball and soccer.

Two teens arrested for thefts from vehicles

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:42:00 CST

Town of Menasha police arrested two teens for thefts from unlocked cars.

Officer Jason Weber says most of the thefts happened in the neighborhood behind the Tri County Ice Arena. He says officers caught the 15- and 17-year-old boys early Saturday morning.

Weber says investigators tied the teens to eight different thefts, and they think the boys were involved in about a dozen others.

He says they took GPS units, other small electronics, and money.

Weber says people can easily prevent thefts from vehicles by locking their doors.

LU's Beck still has things to accomplish

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:41:00 CST

She'll be at Lawrence University for another 16 months, and the school's leader still has a number of things she'd like to do before she retires.

President Jill Beck announced last week that she's leaving in June of next year. She says they're going to renovate Downer Commons, and set up a new center for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Beck says she wanted to give the board of trustees enough time to find her successor.

Beck became Lawrence's 15th president in 2004, and she says building the Werch Campus Center is one of her top accomplishments. She says she also worked on initiatives to build a bridge for students, between college and their careers.

When she retires, Beck will have spent nine years as Lawrence's president.

DNR expanding hours at service centers

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:40:00 CST

The DNR service centers in northeast Wisconsin now have more customer-friendly hours.

Jean Womback-Bartels is the director of the agency's northeast region. She says the Green Bay office is now open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the Oshkosh, Peshtigo, and Sturgeon Bay offices are open from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Womback-Bartels says people can buy licenses and register recreational vehicles at the service centers, but they can also talk to wardens, and other DNR employees, about concerns they might have.

The new hours took effect today.

Senate will put together own mining bill

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:59:00 CST

Majority Republicans in the Senate are going to put together their own version of a mining bill that would streamline the permitting process.

The Assembly recently passed its version, but Sen. Neil Kedzie says they want to make sure local communities receive an adequate share of the mining revenues, and that local tribes are involved in the process.

The Elkhorn Republican says they also want to include contested case hearings, to ensure the public will be able to weigh in on issues.

The mining bill is in response to plans by Gogebic Taconite to open an iron ore mine in parts of Ashland and Iron counties.

State hoping to increase e-filers

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:58:00 CST

The vast majority of Wisconsinites are now filing their taxes online.

State revenue department secretary Rick Chandler says they're hoping even more people will e-file this year. He says there's been tremendous progress on that front in just the last decade. Last year, Chandler says about 80 percent filed their returns electronically.

Chandler says when people e-file, they save the state money, and dramatically reduce the time it takes to receive their refund.

Caution urged for spear fishermen

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:24:00 CST

The spearfishing season on the Lake Winnebago system opens on Saturday, and spear fishermen are urged to be careful when they go out on the ice.

Don Herman of Sunk Towing says there is only 6-to-12 inches of ice on Lake Winnebago, compared to the 14-to-20 inches during a normal winter. He recommends using an ATV or snowmobile on Lake Winnebago, but he says the ice on the upriver lakes is thicker, and can support vehicles.

Herman says fishing clubs will not line ice roads with Christmas trees this year, or put out there vehicle ramps.

Open enrollment period starts today

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:23:00 CST

Starting today, parents can apply to send their students to a different school district.

State department of public instruction spokesman Patrick Gasper says every year since they started the open enrollment program, they've seen an increase. About 37,000 children are going to school outside of their home district this year.

Gasper says there are a variety of reasons that parents apply. He says oftentimes, they want their children to go to a school that's closer to where they work.

Gasper says parents will have much more time this year to decide whether to apply. Governor Walker signed a law last week that extends the open enrollment period to April 30. It used to only run for three weeks.

Appleton replacing streetlight bulbs with LEDs

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:22:00 CST

The city of Appleton is trying to save energy, by putting more energy-efficient light bulbs in its streetlights.

Traffic Engineer Eric Lom says they started in the downtown, by installing about 100 new LED bulbs. He says the bulbs use about half the amount of electricity of a conventional bulb.

Lom says the city owns about 1,000 streetlights, and that accounts for about 15 percent of them in the city. We Energies owns the rest, and leases them to the city.

Lom says they'll save $10,000 to $11,000 a year, just with the 100 new ones in the downtown.

He says while the LED bulbs give off a whiter light than the other bulbs, they haven't heard any negative feedback so far.

Lawmaker wants vote for chief justice

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:21:00 CST

There's a push in the Legislature to let justices on the state Supreme Court choose the chief justice.

A lawmaker from southern Wisconsin lawmaker says that may not be a good idea. Sen. Jon Erpenbach of Middleton says the change would likely lead to an ever-greater divide among justices on the high court.

Republican Sen. Rich Zipperer of Pewaukee is proposing the change. He says the justices should be able to choose their leader, instead of using the current seniority system.

Lawmakers would have to approve the proposed constitutional amendment during two consecutive sessions of the Legislature. Voters would then have to say "Yes" in a statewide referendum.

De Pere man shot wife, 2 children multiple times

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:10:00 CST

Investigators say a De Pere man shot his wife and two children multiple times last Friday, before taking his own life.

The Brown County Medical Examiner's office conducted autopsies from the triple murder-suicide yesterday.

Police say they found the bodies of 46-year-old Denis Bay, his 44-year-old wife Michelle, 14-year-old daughter Andrea and 10-year-old son Daniel, in their home in the 1200 block of S. Erie Street last Friday afternoon.

They say Denis Bay called 911 and told a dispatcher he had just killed three people, and was going to take his own life. They say the dispatcher then heard a gunshot.

Police are still investigating what led to the shootings.

The couple was going through a divorce.

Four dead in De Pere shooting

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:20:00 CST

Four people were found dead this afternoon at a house in De Pere, including two children.

Police Chief Derek Beiderwieden says a man called 911 around 3 p.m. and told a dispatcher that he killed three people, and he was going to shoot himself. He says the dispatcher heard a gunshot, and the line went blank.

Beiderwieden says officers found four bodies at the house in the 1200 block of S. Erie Street, and a gun was nearby. A woman and two children were killed, and they believe the man committed suicide.

Beiderwieden says detectives are trying to find out why the man did it.

Beiderwieden says the community is safe, because they identified the suspect. He calls it a sad and tragic day for the community.

It's De Pere's first murder since 2004, and Beiderwieden says it might be the first multiple homicide in the history of the city's police department.

Gov. Walker to meet with Milwaukee Co. DA

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:39:00 CST

Governor Walker says he's going to voluntarily meet with the prosecutor overseeing an ongoing John Doe investigation.

His campaign issued a statement from the governor this afternoon, saying his representatives contacted Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm last year, to arrange a time to discuss any outstanding issues.

Walker says his cooperation extends beyond a willingness to supply any and all requested documents.

Three of Walker's former staffers, when he was the Milwaukee County Executive, are facing criminal charges, along with one of his appointees.

VT funding fix included in House bill

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:45:00 CST

A proposed federal solution to Valley Transit's future funding issues is taking a step forward in Congress.

Congressman Reid Ribble included a provision in a transportation bill that changes the eligibility criteria. The Sherwood Republican says the transportation and infrastructure committee approved the package this morning, sending it to the floor of the House of Representatives.

Valley Transit spokeswoman Nikki Voeltzke says right now, the funding is based on population, and the Fox Cities area topped the 200,000 threshold in the last census.

Voeltzke says under the new proposal, systems that have fewer than 100 buses on the streets during peak hours could still receive federal dollars. She says right now, Valley Transit has up to 16 busses running at peak times.

The bus system currently gets $1.5 million in federal funding each year, and that's about 30 percent of its overall budget.

The change would also preserve funding for Green Bay Metro.

Audit finds possible fraud in FoodShare

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:44:00 CST

A state audit found potential fraud in the state's food stamp program.

The nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau report shows that $33 million from the FoodShare program was spent in other states.

People enrolled in the $1.1 billion program are allowed to use their benefits in other states, but the report shows that some accounts were used to buy food in Wisconsin, and other states, on the same day.

The card numbers for the out-of-state transactions were entered manually.

The bureau is expected to release a more detailed report in the spring.

Dems expect primary in recall race

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:43:00 CST

Wisconsin Democrats are expecting a primary in the anticipated recall election against Governor Walker, even though only one candidate is officially in the race so far.

Sen. Tim Cullen of Janesville was expected to be the second candidate, but he took a pass this week, saying he couldn't raise enough money. That means former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk is the only Democrat in the race right now.

Democratic Party spokesman Graeme Zielinski says even if no more Democrats jump in, he believes Falk will face a primary opponent, in the form of a "phony" Democrat, supported by the Republican Party.

The GOP ran fake candidates to force primaries in most of last year's recall elections that targeted Republican senators.

Madison makes last-minute pitch for WIAA hoops

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:42:00 CST

Officials in Madison are sweetening their deal to keep the WIAA basketball tournaments in the city, after Green Bay area officials laid out an attractive offer late last month.

UW-Madison is now trying to make sure the Kohl Center is available on the WIAA's preferred dates. Hotels are also preparing a proposal to make the event more affordable to visitors.

Green Bay area officials want to bring the tournament to the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon in 2013, and hotels are offering special rates.

The boys and girls tournaments generate about $9 million in visitor spending.

Madison has hosted the boys tournament for 90 of the last 91 years, and the girls since its debut in 1976.

CO detector saves 3 Appleton kids

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:41:00 CST

A recently installed carbon monoxide detector is credited with saving three Appleton children.

Fire department Battalion Chief Shannon Young says the kids were home alone when the alarm went off shortly after midnight. They called their parents, who then called 911 on their way back to the southside apartment.

One of the children went to St. Elizabeth Hospital as a precaution.

Young says the children's grandparents recently bought the CO detector for the family.

Conference focusing on economic development

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:40:00 CST

An event in downtown Appleton today is focusing on growing the economy in northeast Wisconsin.

Brian Rasmussen of InSight Publications helped organize the InDevelopment Conference at the Radisson Paper Valley hotel. He says they're bringing together developers, municipal leaders, construction companies and financial institutions to talk about various site possibilities and projects.

Rassmussen says people at the event seem to be optimistic about the economy.

State economic development corporation CEO Paul Jadin is one of the speakers at today's conference.

Dentists donating time, resources for kids

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:59:00 CST

Dentists across the country are donating their time and resources today, to help low-income children get dental care.

Bob Glass is the executive director of the Tri-County Community Dental Clinic in Grand Chute. He says his office, and many other dentists across the Fox Cities are participating in the "Give Kids a Smile" program.

He says they'll be doing cleanings, filling cavities, and in some cases, pulling teeth. Glass says many of the kids don't get regular dental checkups. He says they find many of them throughout the year.

Glass says more than 20 local dentists participate in the "Give Kids a Smile" program.

Oshkosh-based Nat. Guard unit leaving

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:25:00 CST

Family and friends of troops in an Oshkosh-based Wisconsin Army National Guard unit are gathering tomorrow, for a sendoff ceremony.

The 1157th Transportation Company will spend several weeks training at Camp Shelby in Mississippi, before the 130 soldiers learn their ultimate destination.

Lt. Col. Jackie Guthrie says they've been planning to go to Kuwait, but U.S. Central Command might make a change. She says no matter where they go, they'll be on active duty for about a year.

Tomorrow's sendoff ceremony is at the EAA's Eagle Hangar, at 11 a.m.

There's a second ceremony in the state tomorrow, in Hartford, for 60 soldiers with the 82nd Agribusiness Development Team. They're going to Afghanistan, to teach farmers.

Whooping cough still spreading in Appleton

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:24:00 CST

Appleton's public health officer says whooping cough is continuing to run its course in the city.

Kurt Eggebrecht says so far there are 64 confirmed cases of the disease in 13 public and private schools, and several more suspected cases. He says that's a lot more than the city usually sees.

Eggebrecht says most of the children who are catching the disease have been vaccinated for it. He says the vaccine is important, because it makes the symptoms less severe

Super Bowl a big time for betting

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:23:00 CST

It's a big week for the betting crowd, leading up to Super Bowl Sunday.

Rose Gruber is the executive director of the Green Bay-based Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling. She says many people will get in on the action.

Gruber says people will wager billions of dollars on the game, and a lot that money goes down the tube.

A survey estimated that 90 percent of those making Super Bowl bets in the past, ended up losing money.

Bergstrom receiving major award from Ford

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:22:00 CST

A local Ford dealer is receiving a major community service award from the car company.

John Bergstrom is in Las Vegas today, to accept the "Salute to Dealers" honor. He's one of six winners, out of 8,500 dealers around the world.

Bergstrom says helping the community is a part of the company's philosophy. He says they especially try to help young people by supporting the Boys and Girls Club, and the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, among others.

Ag secretary finds opportunity in Vietnam

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:21:00 CST

The state's agriculture secretary is back from a recent trade mission to Vietnam, and he says there's potential for business partnerships in the future.

Secretary Ben Brancel says Vietnam's dairy industry is pretty small right now, but it is growing.

Brancel says Vietnam's population of about 90 million people grows by about one percent a year. He says that's a growth rate that their domestic dairy industry can't keep up with, and Wisconsin farmers could help.

LU's Beck to retire in 2013

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:00:00 CST

The leader of Lawrence University plans to retire next year.

President Jill Beck announced today that she's leaving her job in June of 2013.

She became the school's 15th president in 2004, and she's the only woman to hold that position.

A search will start soon for her successor.

Beck is unavailable for comment until next Monday.

Victim supports statute of limitations bill

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:45:00 CST

The victim of a brutal stabbing in an Appleton park in 1999 says lawmakers should get rid of the statute of limitations in certain cases.

Rep. Jim Steineke of the town of Vandenbroek is proposing a bill that would end the time limit on prosecuting cases of attempted murder and rape.

A woman who calls herself "Heather" was stabbed 23 times during a random attack in Hoover Park 13 years ago. If her attacker is ever found, he can't be prosecuted because of the statute of limitations. She says she doesn't want that to happen to other people. Heather says she still deals with the emotional impact of the attack everyday.

Retired Appleton police detective Randy Cook worked on the Hoover Park stabbing case. He says the statute of limitations was put in place because memories of an attack fade over time, but it's time for a change.

Any changes in the time limits would only impact future cases.

Statute of limitations issues are also a factor in a child sexual assault case that happened in Appleton in 1989. The cold case is just now making its way through the court system. DNA evidence helped prosecutors find the man they believe committed the crime.

Oshkosh police arrest two for D.Q. robbery

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:44:00 CST

Oshkosh police arrested two people in connection with a robbery last year.

Officer Joe Nichols says an 18-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman were involved with the hold-up at the Dairy Queen on S. Main Street last September 9. He says the man waived a large knife in the faces of employees, and demanded money.

They were taken into custody yesterday, and they're in the Winnebago County jail.

The warm winter is rising in the record books

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:43:00 CST

This winter is shaping up to be one of the warmest ever in northeast Wisconsin.

National Weather Service meteorologist Jeff Last says the average temperature for Green Bay through December and January is 26.4 degrees. That ranks as the sixth warmest in over 100 years. He says the numbers are similar for the Fox Cities. Last says it's the third warmest start to winter ever, if consider daytime highs.

Last says five of the last 15 to 20 winters rank among top 20 warmest winters in our area.

Last says the warmest start to the winter was in 2002, when the average temperature was 35 degrees.

Wall tops Ribble in latest fundraising period

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:42:00 CST

A Green Bay Democrat brought in more money during the fourth quarter of last year, than the incumbent in the 8th congressional district race.

Business consultant Jamie Wall is challenging Republican Congressman Reid Ribble of Sherwood.

Wall reported raising more than $240,000, while Ribble collected more than $180,000. Ribble has the advantage in cash-on-hand, with nearly $600,000. Wall reported having $223,000.

Wall made an unsuccessful bid for the seat in 2006.

Panel goes over Medicaid audit

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:41:00 CST

An audit of a major state program shows there are challenges ahead.

Sen. Rob Cowles of Green Bay is the co-chair of the Legislature's joint audit committee. He says the in-depth look at the $7.5 billion Medicaid program highlights the need for lawmakers to see important data.

The Republican lawmaker says Medicaid is expanding faster than the rate of inflation, and it's threatening to surpass the state's ability to fund it, and other programs.

The joint committee held a hearing on the audit yesterday.

Group reacts to Asian carp proposal

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:40:00 CST

A conservation group is reacting to a study showing three ways to try to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes.

Joel Brammeier is the president and CEO of the Alliance for the Great Lakes. He says the plans call for separating Lake Michigan from the Mississippi River, at the Chicago canals.

The price tag for the recommendations range between $3 billion and $9.5 billion.

Brammeier says that's a lot of money, but the financial impact to the tourism industry, and the ecosystem, would be worse.

Prof: Behavior of chimps, politicians is similar

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:59:00 CST

One of the top primate researchers in the world believes the behaviors of chimpanzees, and politicians, are very similar.

Professor Frans de Waal spoke at Lawrence University today. He wrote the book "Chimpanzee Politics" in 1994.

de Waal says all of the male chimps want to have power, and they have their strategies to get it. He says the "alpha male" also knows he needs to do favors for the others, to keep his friends, and stay in power.

He's been studying primates since the 1970s, and he's written 13 different books on their behavior. de Waal is currently a psychology professor at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga.

Local businesses 'guardedly optimistic'

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:25:00 CST

The head of the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce says it appears businesses are guardedly optimistic about the upcoming year.

The results of the group's annual economic survey are more positive than last year. Forty-six percent of businesses believe the local economy will grow, while 47 percent predict it will stabilize. Another seven percent think it will decline.

Chamber President Shannon Meyer says it's nice to see that companies are optimistic. She says they're probably looking at moderate growth.

The survey found 74 percent believe the quality of life in the Fox Cities is better or much better than other similar-sized communities. Meyer says that's an important message to spread across the country.

Nineteen percent think the quality of life is about the same as other similar communities.

Rosenthal challenging statements, evidence

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:24:00 CST

A Brillion man accused of killing his mother is asking a judge to throw out evidence and statements in the case.

34-year-old Randal Rosenthal is charged with murdering 52-year-old Kathleen Remter last July. He's set to stand trial in May, but his attorney doesn't want the jury to hear what Rosenthal told police, or find out about his clothes.

During a motion hearing in Outagamie County court yesterday, Rosenthal claimed the statements he made weren't voluntary and that investigators should have read him his rights when they talked with him. He also argues detectives didn't have consent to search his clothes and guns.

Rosenthal testified during the hearing that he smoked marijuana shortly before authorities came to talk with him, and that he was also using Xanax and Adderall at times, without a prescription.

Rosenthal is accused of shooting his mother in Rapide Croche Park near Wrightstown, and dumping her body in the Fox River. Court records say she had a large life insurance policy.

Wis. losing residents to other states

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:23:00 CST

Wisconsin doesn't have the appeal that it used to, for people looking to move.

The state gained an average of 3,000 people each year, between 1994 and 2004, but that trend has now reversed.

A study of income tax returns by the Wiscosnin Taxpayers Alliance shows that since 2005, more people have been leaving the state, than coming here, costing the state up to $8 billion in lost tax revenue.

Alliance research director Dale Knapp says the state lost almost 10,000 people in 2010 alone. He says retirees seeking warmer weather are one of the main groups leaving. But he says they're also seeing young college grads leave the Badger State.

Knapp says the only way to reverse the trend is to improve the state's economy.

Knapp says many of the college grads leaving Wisconsin are settling in neighboring states.

Cullen out of possible recall race for governor

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:01:00 CST

One of the Democrats expected to run against Governor Walker in a possible recall election is out of the race.

Senator Tim Cullen of Janesville made the announcement this afternoon.

Cullen has been saying for months that he'll challenge Governor Walker, but now says that he can't raise enough money to compete with better-known candidates.

Former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk is the only Democrat officially in the race now, but others are expected to join.

Cullen is a moderate Democrat, and he's been in the Senate since 2010. The 67-year-old previously served in the Senate from 1974 to 1986.

Woman robs Menasha Shopko pharmacy

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:00:00 CST

Menasha police are looking for a woman who robbed the Shopko pharmacy on Appleton Road this morning.

Police department spokesman Aaron Zemlock says it happened around 8:30 a.m. He says the woman threatened the pharmacy clerk with a silver handgun, demanded drugs, and ran out of the store.

Zemlock says investigators aren't sure how many drugs the woman was able to take, before she fled.

The suspect is described as a petite white woman who is about five-foot-three inches tall. She was wearing a green winter jacket with a hood, and had a white scarf over her face. The woman was also wearing black leggings and brown boots.

Most local firms think economy will grow, stabilize

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:45:00 CST

Most companies in the Fox Cities are predicting the economy will be better, or at least the same, this year.

The Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce released its annual survey this morning, at a breakfast meeting.

Forty-six percent believe the economy will grow, 47 percent think it will stabilize, and 7 percent are predicting a decline.

David Francis of Thrivent Asset Management was this morning's speaker, and he says it's not going to be a great year, but an OK one. He says consumer confidence is crucial.

The survey found 44 percent think they'll add jobs this year. Fifty percent predict they'll stay at their current levels, and 6 percent are projecting a decline.

Francis says for the economy to continue to grow, we have to stay away from major things that can halt the progress. He says government debt is the only possibility he can come up with. Francis says it's possible the debt problems in Europe could impact the economy in the U.S.

Salvation Army narrowly tops goal

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:44:00 CST

The Salvation Army Fox Cities norrowly reached its Christmas campaign fundraising goal.

Spokesman Robb Waugus says they collected $800 more than the goal of $1.2 million.

The Red Kettle campaign is a large part of effort. Waugus credits the commitment of volunteers and the business community, especially through their match days.

Waugus says he's always amazed by the generosity of people in the Fox Valley, especially given the economy.

Waugus says they money raised through the Christmas campaign will pay for programs for the needy, throughout the year.

First part of Eagle Flats development open

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:43:00 CST

The first piece of the Eagle Flats development, in the Appleton flats, is opening today.

The Landing at Eagle Flats, is a 54-unit affordable apartment complex near the Fox River. Karen Harkness is Appleton's community development director. She says there's a lot of interest in the new apartments.

Another piece of the Eagle Flats development is also under construction. The project that will create 70 apartments for the Appleton housing authority project should be finished by August.

Harkness says it's great to see a neighborhood popping up, where a vacant mill previously stood.

Appleton hit by two power outages

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:42:00 CST

About 2,800 We Energies customers in and around downtown Appleton lost power for a short time this morning.

Utility crews are looking for the cause. The outage lasted about 20 minutes.

Another large outage last night kept some people on Appleton's southeast side in the dark, for about 1-1/2 hours. More than 1,400 customers were impacted. A problem with an underground cable was to blame, and crews are fixing it today.

Schools preparing for longer open enrollment

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:41:00 CST

Students and parents will get more time to take advantage of open enrollment, but the new law will make it tougher for school districts to together their budgets.

Governor Walker signed a bill today that extends the open enrollment period from three weeks in February, to three months, from February through April.

The new deadline will apply for the upcoming school year. Appleton school district chief financial officer Don Hietpas says the change complicates their budget planning a bit, because it will take longer to know how many students to expect, and how many teachers to hire.

There is a provision in the law that helps school districts deal with that uncertainty. Hietpas says in the past, they had to let teachers know about possible layoffs by mid-February, and make a final decision by mid-March. The law changes the deadlines to May and June.

He says every time a student participates in open enrollment, it costs their home school district nearly $7,000.

Outagamie Co. launches new website

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:40:00 CST

The Outagamie County website has a new look.

County Executive Tom Nelson unveiled the new design this morning, and he says it's a one-stop shop for people who do business with county government.

Nelson says the redesign was long overdue. He says the former design was about 12 years old.

Former County Executive Toby Paltzer included the funding for the redesign in his final budget.

Nelson says county staffers spent a year on the project. He says they're under their projected budget of $50,000.

State reveals Top 10 list of consumer complaints

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:59:00 CST

Violations of the state's Do Not Call list were the top complaint to the state's consumer protection department last year.

The agency just released its annual Top 10 list.

Administrator Sandy Chalmers says most of those calls from telemarketers were pre-recorded, so-called "robo-calls."

It was the ninth year in a row that the No Call list was at the top of the list. Other major issues included phone billing errors, identity theft, and home improvement scams.

Top 10 consumer complaints, with number of cases
1. Telemarketing (No-Call) - 1,669
2. Telecommunications - 1,272
3. Landlord/Tenant - 837
4. Home Improvement - 338
5. Identity Theft & Gasoline Pump Accuracy - 225
6. Motor Vehicle Sales - 211
7. Furniture/Home Furnishings - 198
8. Motor Vehicle Repair - 189
9. Satellite Dish - 185
10. Dentistry & Contest/Sweepstakes/Prize Promotions - 173

Cause of large Pulaski fire 'undetermined'

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:24:00 CST

Local, state and federal officials haven't figured out what caused a large fire that damaged five buildings in downtown Pulaski.

It started at a bowling alley last December.

Pulaski Police Chief Randal Dunford says they're classifying the cause of the fire as "undetermined." He says the investigation was a very methodical process.

Dunford says it could have been an electrical issue or something as simple as a cigarette, but the heat from the fire destroyed all of the evidence. They do know it started in or above the men's bathroom at Wood Lanes.

More than 30 area fire departments fought the blaze that spread from the bowling alley to four neighboring buildings.

Another Hwy. 41 project starting today

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:23:00 CST

The Mason Street interchange with Hwy. 41 in Green Bay closed at midnight, and it won't reopen for several months.

DOT spokesman Kris Schuller says construction crews are replacing the overpass there, widening Hwy. 41, and building three roundabouts on Mason Street.

He says drivers need to find alternate routes to cross Hwy. 41, or get to stores in the Mason Street area.

Schuller says the DOT hopes to finish the project by August.

Health program for farmers expands

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:21:00 CST

Farmers in rural Outagamie and Waupaca counties will get a chance to get medical checkups in their own homes.

The Rural Health Initiative is expanding from Shawano County.

ThedaCare is one of the sponsors, and executive director Rhonda Strebel says many farmers are self-employed, and self-insured., so they have high deductibles that don't cover routine checkups.

Strebel says some rural farmers would also have to travel a large distance to see a doctor. She says through their program, a professional visits farmers in their kitchens, and provides a health screening.

The non-profit program is supported by sponsors and fundraising.

Fox Cities Book Festival lands several authors

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:20:00 CST

The first event in the Fox Cities Book Festival kicked off yesterday, with the sixth annual Fox Cities Reads project.

Over the next 2-1/2 months, people all over the Fox Valley will read William Strickland's book "Make the Impossible Possible." Strickland will make appearances at local libraries during the festival, to talk about the book.

Fox Cities Book Festival board member Michael Kenney says a number of other prominent authors will speak at local libraries from April 11-18. The list of authors includes Carol Higgins Clark, Diane Ackerman, Rachel Simon, and Patrick Rothfuss.

Kenney says libraries in the Fox Cities have hundreds of copies of Strickland's book, for those who want to participate in the community read.

Zahirudin gets probation for abandoning baby

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:06:00 CST

A 17-year-old girl will spend three years on probation, after she reached a plea deal in an abandoned baby case.

Nadia Zahirudin of the town of Buchanan entered guilty pleas yesterday to three misdemeanor counts -- child neglect, obstructing police, and disorderly conduct.

Outagamie County Judge Michael Gage agreed to defer the prosecution of a felony child abandonment charge, and he'll give her the chance to clear her record, if she successfully completes her probation. The judge complimented Zahirudin for being an "exemplary person" who made a bad decision.

She was arrested last May, along with the baby's father, after they decided to leave the child next to a dumpster outside of the Fox Valley Christian Fellowship Church.

Deputy District Attorney Melinda Tempelis says Zahirudin will have to perform 20 hours of community service each year, talking to teens about what happened.

The father, 18-year-old Benjamin LaMarche of Kimberly, apparently also reached a plea deal, and he'll be in court in March.

Prosecutors say the baby survived, and is doing well.

Cause of Pulaski fire ruled 'undetermined'

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:05:00 CST

Local, state, and federal officials say they can't find what caused a fire at a Pulaski bowling alley on December 2, that damaged much of the village's downtown.

Investigators from the state fire marshal's office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and firearms, and the Pulaski fire and police departments say the blaze started in, or above, the men's bathroom at Wood Lanes, but they don't know what sparked it.

More than 30 fire departments fought the blaze, that spread from the bowling alley to four neighboring buildings.

Van Hollen calls for recall signature posting

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:04:00 CST

The state Government Accountability Board isn't saying if or when it will post the petitions seeking the recall of Governor Walker, online, but the attorney general is now weighing in.

Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says they need to be made public.

The GAB decided not to post them yesterday, as planned, because of concerns from domestic violence victims about having their names and addresses made public.

J.B. Van Hollen says all state agencies need to balance the responsibility for open government with safeguarding citizens. But the signatures should go on the website, after appropriate measures are taken.

There are about 150,000 pages of petitions, and recall organizers say there are more than a million signatures on them.

Outagamie Co. airport pays off terminal bond

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:03:00 CST

Outagamie County paid off the bonds for the 10-year-old airport terminal expansion project, five years early.

County and airport staff celebrated this morning, by holding a "bond burning" outside of the main entrance.

County Executive Tom Nelson says they're saving $234,000 in interest, and they'll pass that along to airport tenants and passengers.

The county borrowed $4 million for the $10.7 million project. Grants from the federal and state governments covered about an additional $6 million.

Before the project started in 2001, the airport didn't have boarding bridges, so passengers had to walk outside, onto the tarmac, to board their plane.

The work also included a new, 30-thousand square foot gate area.

No aid coming for September wind storm

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:03:00 CST

The state and federal governments won't help cover the cost of damage left by a wind storm that hit the Fox Cities last September.

Outagamie County emergency management director Christina Muller says the storm caused $2.9 million worth of residential property damage, and $2.5 million in losses for businesses.

Muller says communities also had to spend nearly $500,000 to clean up from the storm. She says that came close to the threshold for qualifying for state disaster relief aid, but it was still far from the limit to get help from FEMA.

Outagamie Co. airport gets body scanners

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:01:00 CST

A new body scanning machine is now in place at the Outagamie County Regional Airport.

TSA crews started using it this morning, at the security screening checkpoint.

Airport Director Marty Lenss says it's more efficient than the metal detectors that used to be in place. He says that's especially the case for people with knee or hip replacements.

The machines created a lot of controversy when they were first put in airports more than a year ago. Lenss says Outagamie County has what's considered the next generation of the scanners. He says they produce a less graphic image than previous versions of the scanners.

The TSA installed the scanners at Austin Strabel International Airport in Green Bay earlier this month.

Book chosen for Fox Cities Reads

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:00:00 CST

A motivational book is the subject of this year's Fox Cities Reads event.

Fox Cities Book Festival board member Michael Kenney says libraries across the area have hundreds of copies of "Make the Impossible Possible" by William Strickland. He says the book is different than the ones they picked during the first five years of the community reading event.

Strickland's book includes his story of growing up in a Pittsburgh ghetto, becoming a Harvard lecturer, and serving on the National Endowment for the Arts board.

He'll come to several local libraries in April, to talk about the book.

Teens in abandoned baby case in court today

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:25:00 CST

The teens accused of abandoning their newborn baby by a dumpster will be in Outagamie County court today.

18-year-old Benjamin LaMarche of Kimberly faces a felony charge of child abandonment, and a misdemeanor count of child neglect. 17-year-old Nadia Zahiruden of the town of Buchanan faces four charges, including a felony county of child abandonment, and misdemeanor charges of child neglect, obstructing an officer, and disorderly conduct.

Court records says the teens planned to drop the baby off at St. Elizabeth Hosptial, shortly after Zahirudin gave birth, last May, but they were afraid of getting in trouble. They're accused of leaving the newborn next to a dumpster behind the Fox Valley Christian Fellowship Church in Kimberly instead.

LaMarche is scheduled to have a jury trial today, while Zahirudin will be in court for a plea hearing.

Attorneys for both teens have been trying to work out a plea agreement with prosecutors for months.

GAB holds off on posting Walker petitions online

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:24:00 CST

The state Government Accountability Board is delaying plans to post the recall petitions against Governor Walker, online, after some raised concerns about privacy.

The petitions are considered public records, but Stacy Harbaugh of the ACLU in Wisconsin says the state takes some precautions in other areas. She says victims of stalking, sexual assault, and domestic abuse are able to keep their names confidential when other papers are released.

There are about 150,000 petition pages for the Walker recall.

The GAB already posted the signatures from the four Senate recalls, and did the same for all of the senate recalls last year.

Governor Walker says he likes the idea of having the petitions online, so people can see them and look for duplicates.

Lawmaker proposes wolf hunt

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:23:00 CST

Less than a week after the state took over the management of Wisconsin's gray wolf population, a lawmaker wants to create a hunting season for the animals.

Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder says the state needs help to effectively manage the wolf population.

The Abbotsford Republican says the state's population goal is 350, but right now, there are about 800 of the animals.

The gray wolf was removed from the endangered species list last week.

Suder wants to let hunters target the animals between October and February.

Walker touts manufacturing careers

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:21:00 CST

In order to help create jobs in manufacturing, Governor Walker says more people need to pick a career in the industry.

He says there are decent, high-paying jobs that they can be proud of.

The governor was in Green Bay yesterday to talk with workers at the Lindquist Machine Corporation.

Walker says it's important to reach out to young people. He says the state can be competitive, if there's a good, qualified workforce in place. He says that goes for other countries too, like China and Mexico.

The governor's stop was part of his post-"State of the State" tour.

Jacobsen gets five years for stealing $500k

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:20:00 CST

A town of Menasha woman will spend five years in prison for stealing nearly $500,000 from the Community Blood Center.

50-year-old Tina Jacobsen took the money by falsifying nearly 290 transactions, while she worked in the Grand Chute blood center's finance department.

Court records say she spent more than $400,000 of the stolen money at the Oneida Casino.

Jacobsen blames the thefts on a gambling addiction, and she's getting treatment for it. Before receiving her sentence, Jacobsen said she's sorry for stealing the money, and letting so many people down.

Outagamie County Judge Mark McGinnis says Jacobsen hasn't shown remorse for the crime.

Jacobsen will also spend 13 years on probation, and she'll have to pay more than $500,000 in restitution to cover the money that she took, and expenses incurred by the Community Blood Center.

GOP reviewing petitions in Appleton area, G.B.

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:45:00 CST

The process of reviewing about 1 million signatures from the effort to recall Governor Walker got under way in the Appleton area, and around the state over the weekend.

The state Republican Party opened 13 offices where volunteers are going over the petition pages.

The state Government Accountability Board finished scanning the 150,000 pages last Friday, and spokesman Ben Sparks says they had about 2,000 people help out in the first 24 hours.

Sparks says people are going over the signatures, looking for fraudulent names and addresses. He says they're also watching to make sure multiple signatures don't have the same handwriting.

Sparks says he doesn't have an accurate count on the number of signatures they already plan to challenge.

The GOP's office in the Appleton area is on Waterford Lane in Grand Chute, near the Outagamie County Regional Airport. The party also has one on S. Webster Avenue in Green Bay.

Panel holding hearing on home brew bill

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:44:00 CST

Home brewers want to tip a pint of their brew outside of their own homes, and a bill before a Senate committee would let them do that again.

The state department of revenue determined last year that existing law prohibits people from taking their home brews anywhere.

Sen. Mike Ellis of Neenah says the bill he co-sponsored with Rep. Dean Kaufert would change that.

Ellis say anyone who wants to weigh in on the bill can email his office before tomorrow's public hearing. He says he hopes the Senate committee votes on it immediately after the hearing, and sends the bill onto the Senate.

New emergency shelter leader starts today

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:43:00 CST

The Emergency Shelter of the Fox Valley has a new leader.

Former Grand Chute police lieutenant Jerome Martin is starting his first day, today, as the shelter's executive director. John Russo is the chair of the shelter's board of directors, and he says Martin is a good fit, because of his police work.

Martin says there is a lot of crossover in the skills needed for police work, and running the shelter.

Martin says he hopes to start new collaborations between communities and other organizations that serve the less fortunate, to help people get back on their feet.

Martin takes over for Debra Cronmiller, who left the emergency shelter last year.

Experts predict big sturgeon season

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:40:00 CST

If the ice holds out, next month's sturgeon spearing season could be the largest ever on the Lake Winnebago system.

DNR officials say nearly 12,700 people bought licenses to spear a sturgeon. That breaks the previous record by nearly 300.

The spearing season starts February 11, and runs until February 26, unless harvest caps are reached. DNR officials are raising those caps slightly on Lake Winnebago, and the upriver lakes.

The warm weather this winter is leading to poor ice conditions in some areas.

PAC ranked 20th on national list

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:59:00 CST

The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center is outperforming similar-sized venues across the country.

Executive vice president Maria Van Laanen says the PAC ranked 13th nationwide in the "Top Stops" list for "Venues Today" magazine. She says the ranking is based on ticket sales for venues with 2,001 to 5,000 seats.

Van Laanen says the PAC is on the lower end of the capacity range, and outperformed many larger venues, in bigger cities.

She says that could help bring in bigger, and newer shows in the future.

Van Laanen says it's the fourth time the PAC made the list's top 20.

Lamers makes list of top motorcoach companies

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:58:00 CST

A national magazine is again including a Green Bay-based company as one of the best in the motorcoach business.

Metro Magazine ranked Lamers Bus Lines 13th, among the top 50 in the country. That's up two spots from a year ago.

A Dallas company was the top-ranked motorcoach company for the second year in a row.

Lasee drops out of GOP race for U.S. Senate

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:25:00 CST

One of the Republican candidates for U.S. Senate is getting out of the race.

State Sen. Frank Lasee announced yesterday that he's dropping his bid for the federal office.

The De Pere Republican issued a statement, saying it's not the right time to make a run.

Lasee was elected to the state Senate in 2010. He had spent 12 years in the Assembly, before he lost that seat in 2006.

The decision leaves three other Republicans in the September primary -- former Congressman Mark Neumann, Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald, and former Governor Tommy Thompson. There's only one Democrat in the race -- Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin.

The winner of the November election will succeed the retiring, longtime Democratic Sen. Herb Kohl.

Hansen calls on GOP to keep voucher promise

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:23:00 CST

In the wake of a Republican lawmaker's comments about Green Bay Preble high school last week, a Green Bay Democrat is urging the Assembly to approve a bill on school voucher expansion.

Sen. Dave Hansen says Senate President Mike Ellis of Neenah should keep his word, and insist that the Assembly take a vote, without any amendments to the proposal.

Hansen says Ellis and Sen. Rob Cowles of Green Bay promised they would fix a provision in the state budget, and limit the program to Milwaukee County and Racine. He says any expansions should go through the normal process.

Ellis was caught on tape calling Preble high school a "sewer" last week, during a conversation with lawmakers on school vouchers.

Farm bureau cries foul over child labor rules

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:22:00 CST

A state group is concerned about proposed changes to child labor laws on farms.

Spokesman Casey Langan of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation says it's another attempt by the federal government to make new rules.

Langan says one proposal would make it illegal for anyone under 16 to use power equipment. He says the move would drastically change the face of the family farm, and make it more difficult for them to stay in business.

In pushing for the tighter rules, the U.S. department of agriculture says 40 percent of all on-the-job youth fatalities are connected to agriculture.

Lack of snow not hurting tourism industry

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:20:00 CST

The state's winter tourism industry is doing well, despite the lack of snow in most of the state.

Tourism department spokeswoman Lisa Marshall says the snowmobile trails in the far northern parts of Wisconsin are open, and in good shape. And ski hill operators are also reporting good conditions.

Marshall says the state's indoor winter attractions, like spas and indoor water parks, are also doing well this winter.