KISS

Bond set for man accused of daughter's death

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 06:05:00 CST

An Ashwaubenon man made his first court appearance Thursday, on accusations that killed his two-month-old daughter by laying her on her stomach, on a couch.

Court records say 30-year-old Scott Conklin then left the room, and when he returned, the baby wasn't breathing. A preliminary autopsy report shows the child likely suffocated.

Jody Croker is a lieutenant at the Ashwaubenon public safety department. He says Conklin likely played a role in the child's death.

Brown County prosecutors plan to charge Conklin with first-degree reckless homicide next week. Court records says Conklin made strange comments both before and after the girl's death about a life insurance policy, and clearing out a bank account.

Crocker says officers arrested him Wednesday, after learning that he may be planing to flee to Texas.

Prosecutors asked for a $250,000 bond, saying Conklin is a flight risk. The Brown County court commissioner disagreed, and set bond at $5,000.

Conklin's attorney says his client denies the allegations, is not a flight risk, and will be able to post bond.

Man arrested for infant daughter's death

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

A 30-year-old Ashwaubenon man is in custody for the death of his two-month-old daughter.

Scott Conklin is in the Brown County jail on a possible charge of first-degree reckless homicide.

Aiela Conklin died on June 8.

Police say they arrested Conklin yesterday, after learning he may have been preparing to leave the state.

N.E.W Clinic receiving $900K grant

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

A $900,000 grant from the federal government will help a Green Bay area clinic start a dental clinic, and double the number of patients they help.

The N.E.W. Clinic serves low-income people at locations in downtown Green Bay and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.

Clinic director Bonnie Kuhr says most of the money will go to the dental clinic at NWTC.

Kuhr says they also offer nursing and behavior health services. They're helping up to 4,000 patients a year, but that number will go to 8,000 with the grant.

Kuhr says she's happy they can add more resources to the NWTC site, because it's more convenient for people on Green Bay's north and west sides.

Clinics in Sheboygan and Marshfield also received grants from the health and human services department today.

Buchanan not interested in incorporation

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

The town of Buchanan won't be following the town of Harrison's lead by trying to incorporate into a village, anytime soon.

Harrison officials hope to learn by the end of the year if the state will approve its application, but Buchanan administrator Angela Gorall says her community isn't interested.

She says a couple of years ago the two towns looked at joining together to form the village of Darboy, but it didn't go any farther than that.

Gorall says Buchanan is supporting the Harrison proposal.

Gorall says if Buchanan incorporated, the western half of the town would qualify to become a village, but the east side would remain a town. She says that was the biggest sticking point for town officials. Gorall says there also wouldn't be an economic benefit to incorporation.

Neenah passes animal rules

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

Neenah officials are making it clear how many pets people can have at their home.

City Attorney Jim Godlewski says the city council put rules in place last night, and they include a limit of three dogs, and three cats. He says on top of that, people can also have up to 10 other domestic animals.

The rules specifically ban certain farm and exotic animals in the city.

Godlewski says the council did include a grandfather clause, so people don't have to give up their current pets, if they're beyond the limit.

He says they do need to prove that they're licensed, and they've received the necessary vaccinations.

Officials preparing for Farm Technology Days

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

In less than a month, thousands of people will be on two farms in the New London area for the Wisconsin Farm Technology Days.

Outagamie County is hosting the event, and organizers are setting up. UW-Extension ag agent Kevin Jarek says some of the trailers are already in place, and the tents are coming tomorrow.

Jarek says they'll have about 15,000 visitors a day.

The Sugar Creek and Heideman Family farms are hosting the event from July 17 to the 19. Jarek says they're looking for about 1,500 volunteers.

Jarek says people can call the UW-Extension office if they want to volunteer, or go to the Farm Technology Days website.

Poll: 50% want changes in recall process

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

The recall race for governor apparently changed some people's minds on the need for the special elections.

The new Marquette law school poll shows 50 percent want to limit them to instances of criminal wrongdoing. Political science professor Charles Franklin says 44 percent want to keep the current law.

Back in January, 43 percent wanted changes in the recall rules, and 53 percent thought they should remain the same.

Local metro areas add jobs, jobless rate up

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 08:24:00 CST

The Fox Valley's metro areas added jobs last month, but they also saw small increases in unemployment.

Seasonally adjusted numbers from the workforce development department show that the Appleton area added 1,000 public and private sector jobs last month, to lead all three northeast Wisconsin metro areas.

The Oshkosh-Neenah metro added 500 jobs and the Green Bay area added 100 jobs.

The unemployment rate in Appleton climbed by 0.1 percent, to 6.1 percent, the Oshkosh-Neenah rate increased from 6 percent to 6.2 percent. Green Bay's rate also rose 0.2 percent, to 6.4 percent. The unemployment rate is not seasonably adjusted.

The state added 2,600 jobs last month, 900 were in the private sector.

The state's unemployment rate climbed 0.1 percent, to 6.8 percent.

Thompson leading poll on U.S. Senate race

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 08:23:00 CST

A poll shows a quarter of likely voters are still undecided in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

The Marquette University law school poll has former Governor Tommy Thompson leading the GOP field, at 34 percent. Former Congressman Mark Neumann is second with 16 percent, with businessman Eric Hovde at 14 percent and Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald at 10 percent.

Marquette political science professor Charles Franklin says he's surprised by the high number of undecided voters. He says the August 14 race is still up for grabs, if the other candidates make a good impression as they become more recognizable.

The poll also showed that Thompson has an eight-point lead in November general election over Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, 49 to 41 percent.

Appleton official likes UV water treatment plan

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 08:22:00 CST

The leader of Appleton's water treatment plant is on board with a recommendation to treat the city's water supply with ultraviolet light.

An advisory committee presented plans to the city council last night, for a $5 million upgrade at the city's water plant, to comply with new water safety standards.

The panel looked at the UV system, and another that would bolster the plant's existing filtration system that uses millions of tiny filters to remove contaminants from the water.

The committee says the UV method is the way to go and city utilities director Chris Shaw agreed.

Shaw says the UV treatment method is also cheaper than the ultra-filtration process. He says if all goes well, the upgrade could happen in 2014 or 2015.

Authorities release name of crash victim

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:45:00 CST

Calumet County authorities say the victim of yesterday's fatal head-on crash in the town of Brillion was 52-year-old Blair Knepfel.

The Plymouth man was driving on Irish Road, around 12:45 p.m. yesterday, when he was hit by a 16-year-old Hilbert girl. Authorities say she lost control of her SUV, near Crosstown Road.

The girl was flown by helicopter to Theda Clark with non-life threatening injuries.

Harrison moves ahead with incorporation plans

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:44:00 CST

Town of Harrison officials are preparing for the next steps in the incorporation process, to turn part of the town into a village.

Town Administrator Travis Parish says the department of administration's incorporation review board will schedule a public hearing on the issue. He says the hearing will likely be next month, and the board will make a decision by early December.

After that, Parish says a judge would order a referendum on the incorporation. He thinks it would pass.

The proposed village would run from State Park Road to the town's western border, and from Highway KK on the northside, to Highway 10 in the south.

A judge dismissed an incorporation objection from the city of Menasha earlier this week.

Kaukauna police looking for robbery suspects

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:43:00 CST

Kaukauna police are looking for two women who robbed a Walgreens for prescription drugs.

Lt. Jamie Graff says they threatened the pharmacist at the E. Ann Street store around 8 p.m. last night, and ran off with the drugs.

The suspects are white, and they're between 18 and 25 years old. One of the women has bleach blonde hair, and she was wearing a green Hollister shirt. She also has tattoos on the back of her neck, and one of her calves.

The second woman was wearing a red-hooded sweatshirt.

Graff says the women didn't use a weapon during the robbery.

(Click on pictures for a larger image.)

Suspect in arrow shooting can stay at home

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:42:00 CST

A judge will wait until August to decide whether to move a 16-year-old boy into adult court for shooting a seven-year-old girl in the back with an arrow.

Until then, the teen will be able to return home.

The boy was in Fond du Lac County court this morning, for a juvenile hearing.

District Attorney Dan Kaminsky says the teen has been staying at a group home.

The teen is accused of firing the arrow that hit Aryanna Schneeberg last month. He'll be monitored by GPS until the August 1 court hearing.

Kaminsky says if he stays in juvenile court, he would face a maximum of two years at Lincoln Hills. He says the boy might have to pay tens of thousands of dollars in restitution, and there would be more supervision in the adult system.

Fewer GOP candidates in fall, voters fatigued

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:41:00 CST

A group is keeping an eye on a couple of trends, heading into the fall election season.

Todd Berry of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance says there are slightly fewer candidates for the fall legislative races, compared to 2010, and the number of Republican candidates fell from 171 that year to 118 this year. He says the number of Democrats increased from 117 to 166.

Berry says that's not too surprising, because two years ago Democrats held majorities in the Legislature, and they didn't have candidates running against incumbents. He says Republicans now have more people in office.

Berry says he's not sure either party has much momentum going into the fall, after this month's recall elections. He says that's because Republicans held onto the governor's mansion in the recalls, but lost control of the Senate.

Berry says voter fatigue from the recalls could also impact turnout in November.

Agency wants SeniorCare to stay the same

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:40:00 CST

State officials are working to make sure the popular SeniorCare program sticks around a lot longer.

Kitty Rhodes is the deputy secretary of the department of health services. She says the agency plans to ask for a waiver from the federal government to keep the prescription drug program going without any changes. She says most of the 87,000 people who use it, like it just the way it is.

Over the next several weeks, the department will host town hall meetings on the program in Stevens Point, Waukesha and Hudson.

Crews closing I-43 Mason St. exit at night

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

The on and off-ramps to northbound I-43 at the Mason Street interchange in Green Bay are closing for the next three nights, while road crews make some repairs.

They're also adding turn lanes on the off-ramps. They're closing the ramps tonight, through Friday night, between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Kratz wants to move forward

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 08:25:00 CST

A former prosecutor in Calumet County says it's time to begin to repair what's left of his reputation.

The Office of Lawyer Regulation wants to suspend Ken Kratz's law license for six months, for sending sexually suggestive text messages to a domestic abuse victim.

Kratz resigned from his district attorney post in October of 2010, and he says a sex addiction and a dependence on prescription drugs contributed to his poor decisions. But he says they're not an excuse, and he deserves to be punished.

Kratz testified during a hearing on the misconduct allegations, in Appleton yesterday. He says he makes good decisions now and that's all he can do.

Kratz spent time in in-patient treatment, in Hattiesburg, Miss., and he goes to a support group four times a week. He says he's never been happier than he is now.

Judge Richard Kinney will make a recommendation on Kratz's punishment to the state Supreme Court, and justices will have the final say.

(Pictured: Ken Kratz, left, testified during a hearing, while Judge Richard Kinney looks on. Kinney is the referee in the case.)

Harbor House director reacts to Kratz hearing

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 08:24:00 CST

The head of a domestic abuse shelter in Appleton believes Ken Kratz should be punished for his actions.

Beth Schnorr of Harbor House was at yesterday's hearing, and she says she was happy to hear Kratz apologize to abuse victims, and admit that he deserves to be punished.

Schnorr says some people lost their trust in the criminal justice system, because of Kratz's actions. She says just like anyone else with a professional license, Kratz was held to a high standard. He says he should face professional consequences for violating it.

Pearl Harbor veterans return home

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 08:23:00 CST

Local veterans are back home from what some are calling the trip of a lifetime.

The number of Pearl Harbor survivors is getting smaller by the day, and a group from Wisconsin returned home yesterday from a five-day Old Glory Honor Flight to the Hawaiian islands.

88-year-old Firman Balza was among the youngest of the veterans on the trip. He says seeing the memorials, and taking tours in the harbor brought back a lot of memories. Balza says he also took time to remember his fellow soldiers who didn't make it back.

The honor flight was funded by donations, and Balza says he's very thankful for the people who made the trip possible.

Dental bus making stops at summer programs

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 08:22:00 CST

Children at the Boys and Girls Club of the Fox Valley are getting free dental care this week, thanks to a local non-profit.

Bob Glass is the executive director of the Tri-County Community Dental Clinic. He says people from his office stopped by the club yesterday to screen low-income children. On Friday, the clinic's mobile office will come back to fill cavities, take x-rays, and perform other procedures.

Glass says the dental bus will going to local Boys and Girls Clubs and YMCA's all summer, and he hopes they can treat 1,200 kids.

Glass says once the new school year starts, the mobile clinic will make regular stops at schools in Outagamie, Winnebago, and Calumet counties.

Kratz claims sex, drug addiction led to issues

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 21:45:00 CST

He lost his career over a sexting scandal involving a domestic abuse victim, and a former Calumet County prosecutor is trying to keep his law license.

Longtime District Attorney Ken Kratz is facing a series of misconduct violations, for sexual harassment, and the Office of Lawyer Regulation wants to suspend his license for six months.

Kratz testified at a hearing on the ethics case this morning, in downtown Appleton. He says he's a sex addict, and he was also addicted to prescription drugs at the time. He says he was mixing Zanax, Ambien, and Vicodin, and that took away his filters.

Kratz says that's not an excuse for what he did. But he says he's already paid a heavy price, and he's regained his self-respect.

A referee is hearing the case today, and will make a recommendation to the state Supreme Court on whether Kratz's license should be suspended. The justices will have the final say.

(Pictured: Ken Kratz, left, testified during a hearing, while Judge Richard Kinney looks on. Kinney is the referee in the case.)

Campbellsport girl in court for deadly crash

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 21:44:00 CST

A plea deal could be reached soon, in the case of a Campbellsport teen who was speeding when she crashed an SUV, killing three of her friends, and seriously injuring five others.

Carly Ottery faces three counts of homicide by negligent driving.

Court records say she was driving more than 100 miles per hour, when she crashed in a field.

15-year-old Sabrina Stahl, 16-year-old Katie Berg and 17-year-old Caitlin Scannell were killed in the crash.

Winnebago County DA Christian Gossett is a special prosecutor in the case, because Fond du Lac County District Attorney Dan Kaminsky says his office has several conflicts.

Gossett says the case could be resolved by the next court hearing.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled July 27.

Judges respond to DA's gun complaint

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 21:43:00 CST

Judges in Winnebago County say their ban on guns in the courtroom ensures a safe environment for everyone.

The statement comes on the heels of Winnebago County DA Christian Gossett petitioning the state Supreme Court to let him carry his gun in the courthouse.

He says the concealed carry law that passed last year allows DA's and their assistant prosecutors to carry, if they have a permit.

The judges say they unanimously agreed on the ban.

UW-System to offer flexible degree program

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 21:42:00 CST

A new program would let UW students take classes online, and get credit for their past work experiences.

Governor Walker is traveling across the state today, announcing the program. He says equivalency exams would let students earn credits for knowledge that they've already learned, and the online classes will make it easier for full time workers to earn their degree.

UW-System president Kevin Reilly hopes to have the program running by the fall. He says it will focus on nursing, IT, and technical programs .

Greenville group continues fight to oust official

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 21:41:00 CST

A Greenville group that wants to have a town supervisor removed from office, is regrouping after a defeat in court yesterday.

Ethics First Greenville interim director Steve Nagy says a lawsuit accusing town supervisor Michael Woods of harassment and other misconduct, was dismissed yesterday in Outagamie County court. He says the judge told them that he doesn't have the judicial power to remove an elected official, but if the complaint were refiled as a petition to a judge, it could be considered under a judge's executive power. Nagy says his group will adjust and move ahead.

The group accuses Woods of sending harassing letters and voicemails to the Greenville town chair and another resident. As well as illegally filling a ditch and tapping into the town's water supply.

Group calls for recall campaign finance reforms

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 21:40:00 CST

Several Republican lawmakers talked about reforming the recall process over the past year, and now that the election are over, a government watchdog group hopes they move on some of those issues.

Jay Heck of Common Cause says if lawmakers decide to limit recalls to cases where a lawmaker is guilty of a crime, they should also consider reigning in unlimited campaign donations for recalled officials.

Heck also wants a new law requiring outside groups to say where there money is coming from, and require an independent board to handle redistricting.

He says they are all bipartisan issues, and can be done even if Democrats take control of the Senate.

Ribble reacts to Obama's immigration move

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 08:25:00 CST

A Republican lawmaker from northeast Wisconsin says President Obama should enforce the country's immigration laws that Congress put on the books.

Congressman Reid Ribble of Sherwood is reacting to the president's decision to no longer deport young people who were brought here before they were 16, and are under 30.

He says there are three parts to the immigration issue -- security, current immigration laws, and what to do with people who are here illegally. Ribble says there isn't a consensus on any of them.

Ribble says the president obviously wanted to make immigration a campaign issue, and they'll have to see how people feel about it.

Health officials expect spike in Lyme disease

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 08:24:00 CST

People spent a lot of time outdoors this spring, because of the warm March weather, and that could lead to a spike in Lyme disease cases this year.

Appleton public health officer Kurt Eggebrecht says deer ticks hang out in tall grass, and they look for a host in the spring. He says the number of cases has been rising steadily for the last decade, and people should regularly check themselves for ticks if they walk in the woods, or tall grass.

He says if you find one, you should use a tweezers to remove it.

Theda Care infection preventionist Bette Casey says the weather could cause this year's spike, but better testing, more deer, and other factors could also be behind the more gradual rise in cases.

Last year, more than 2,300 new cases of Lyme disease were diagnosed in Wisconsin.

Graphic TV ads impact smokers

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 08:23:00 CST

The number of calls to the state's tobacco quit line doubled, during a graphic TV ad campaign that shows the dangers of smoking.

That's according to Dr. Michael Fiore of the UW's Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention. He says many callers described themselves as "scared straight."

Fiore says more than 50 percent of smokers will die prematurely, if they don't quit.

Throughout the 12-week ad campaign, the quit line received nearly 3,900 calls.

State finds EAB-infested tree in G.B.

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 08:22:00 CST

Nearly three years ago, the state ag department found an emerald ash borer in one of its traps in downtown Green Bay.

Now officials say a tree in that area is infested by the pest.

Spokesman Mick Skwarok says the EAB can fly under the radar for a few years, and then spread very quickly. He says that's not always the case, and they need to keep an eye out for it.

Skwarok says the wood quarantine was put in place when the first beetle was found in 2009, and that could have limited the pest's spread.

'Billy Elliot' opening at PAC

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 08:21:00 CST

The Tony Award winner for Best Musical in 2009 is at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center for the next several days.

PAC spokeswoman Tara Brzozowski says "Billy Elliot the Musical" is a story about a boy who finds his true calling.

She says it will be there for eight performances, through Sunday, and it's the Wisconsin premiere.

"Billy Elliot the Musical" features music from Elton John. It won 10 Tony Awards in 2009.

Romney goes after Obama on economy

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 21:45:00 CST

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney focused on the economy during a campaign stop in Wisconsin.

The former Massachusetts governor visited Monterey Mills in Janesville this morning, and he says President Obama has done little to help Americans get back to work.

It was Romney's first trip to the state since he won the state's Republican primary in April.

Governor Walker introduced Romney. Congressman Paul Ryan of Janesville also joined them. He's been mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate.

Gossett takes concealed carry issue to S.C.

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 21:44:00 CST

The leading prosecutor in Winnebago County wants to carry a gun in the county courthouse, and he's taking the issue to the state Supreme Court.

While District Attorney Christian Gossett has a concealed carry permit, county judges say he can't bring it into court without permission from the presiding judge or court commissioner.

Gossett argues they're overstepping the state's concealed carry law that allows DA's and their assistants to carry guns.

Assistant District Attorney Scott Ceman joined Gossett in filing the petition with the high court.

Home sales, prices up from last May

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 21:43:00 CST

The housing market appears to be bouncing back in the state.

Wisconsin Realtors Association president Mike Theo says sales numbers from last month, and May of last year, were up nearly 19 percent, and prices rose about 1.5 percent.

Theo says in the northeast region, home sales were up more than 21 percent. Calumet County saw a nearly 30 percent increase, while Outagamie only climbed 2.4 percent. Median prices were down, though, by just over 4 percent.

Overall, Theo says prices are stabilizing. He says people are more willing to buy now because the job market is improving in Wisconsin.

May, June weather kills 30% of local corn crop

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 21:42:00 CST

Soil crusting could cost Outagamie County farmers nearly a third of their corn crop.

UW-Extension ag agent Kevin Jarek says the soil was dry in mid-May, when most farmers planted their corn. He says the small amount of rain they received since then, created a crusted top layer of soil that prevented some of the crop from sprouting.

Jarek says the rain that fell this morning won't help any of those seeds pop through the ground, but it will help the plants that survived.

Jarek says the soil crusting also hurt the soybean crop, but it could bounce back.

Storms cause outages in NE Wis.

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 21:41:00 CST

Up to 17,000 customers lost power early this morning, because of some strong storms, and utility crews are working to restore the final outages.

We Energies spokesman Brian Manthey says at the peak, about 12,000 were in the dark, mostly because of lightning. Wisconsin Public Service spokeswoman Lisa Prunty says between 4,000 and 5,000 of their customers lost power.

Both say there are only small, scattered outages right now.

Summer school popular in Appleton

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 21:40:00 CST

More than half of Appleton students are expected to take part in the district's summer school program this year.

The classes started today, and director Gail Bowers McKay says last year, about 8,000 kids either took a class or went to a camp. The district's enrollment is about 15,000.

She says some classes focus strictly on academics, but in courses like cooking and sewing, teachers still incorporate reading and math, so students are working on those skills.

Bowers McKay says the high school-level classes are for students who are behind on their credits.

There are a variety of morning courses for elementary and middle school students. The camps are in the afternoon.

Van Hollen drops redistricting appeal

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:59:00 CST

The redistricting lawsuit over the state's political boundaries is over.

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen is dropping his appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. As part of the decision, Van Hollen agreed to pay a Milwaukee immigrant rights group $185,000 in taxpayer money.

The group filed the suit, arguing that two Assembly districts in Milwaukee discriminated against Latino voters. A federal court ordered lawmakers to redraw the two districts.

O.C. Airport project under way

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:58:00 CST

Crews are working at the Outagamie County Regional Airport to improve the runways and taxiways.

Construction started recently to rebuild one of the taxiways, as part of a $6.7 million project. They're also rebuilding one of the runways, and adding a new taxiway on the east side of the property.

County Executive Tom Nelson says it's important to invest in the county's infrastructure, and air service.

Nelson says the airport is also an industrial park of sorts, thanks to Gulfstream, Fed Ex, and Air Wisconsin. He says those companies provide a lot of good-paying jobs.

The FAA is paying for 90 percent of the project, and the state and county will split the rest.

Construction should be finished before winter.

(Photo: County Executive Tom Nelson spoke during a news conference, while construction crews worked on a taxiway project at the Outagamie County Regional Airport.)

Authorities seek help in cat death

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:57:00 CST

A tote with a dead cat inside washed up along the Oshkosh shoreline, and authorities are trying to figure out where it came from.

Lt. Dave Mack of the Winnebago County sheriff's department says the tote was found May 21 at the Fugleberg Park boat landing, near the yacht club.

Someone cut several holes in the tote, and used a yellow rope to hold the cat down inside.

The cat was black with a white chest, and a white stripe across its face. It was a domestic short hair with possible Maine Coon breeding. Investigators think the cat was between two and five years old.

The Winnebago County sheriff's department is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information through the sheriff's department or Crimestoppers.

Romney visiting Wisconsin

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 08:25:00 CST

Wisconsin will be in the spotlight today in the race for president.

Republican candidate Mitt Romney is coming to Janesville, to tour a company that provides fabric for paint rollers.

UW-Milwaukee political science professor Mordecai Lee says the recall election for governor should give Romney more confidence that he can win the state.

Lee says Wisconsin expects to be one of the battleground states in the race between President Obama and Romney. He says they'll probably both be in Wisconsin plenty of times before the November election.

Romney is visiting Monterey Mills in Janesville this morning.

Kratz to fight law license suspension

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 08:24:00 CST

A longtime prosecutor in Calumet County is fighting to keep his license to practice law.

Former District Attorney Ken Kratz is trying to avoid a six-month suspension, and he'll make his case tomorrow, in Appleton.

He agreed to plead no contest to six misconduct allegations, after the Office of Lawyer Regulation initially filed 11 counts against him. The OLR is seeking the suspension, and the state Supreme Court will make the final decision.

A case referee will hear testimony during tomorrow's hearing, and make a recommendation to justices.

Kratz resigned during a firestorm over a sexting scandal with a domestic abuse victim, in October of 2010. A number of other women came forward with allegations of sexual harassment.

Kratz plans to argue the suspension isn't necessary, and that he already hasn't been practicing law for six months.

Competitor drowns during High Cliff Triathlon

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 08:23:00 CST

The High Cliff Triathlon turned tragic Saturday morning.

The Calumet County sheriff's department says a 42-year-old Illinois man drowned in Lake Winnebago, while he was competing. Doug Witmer of Lagrange went under, near High Cliff State Park in Sherwood.

Midwest Sports Events of De Pere organized the triathlon, and there were volunteer lifeguards on hand.

FdL teen drowns in Waushara Co. lake

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 08:22:00 CST

A 16-year-old Fond du Lac boy drowned in Waushara County on Saturday.

The sheriff's department says Blake Lieders was swimming with two friends, on Silver Lake in the town of Marion, when he went under around 4:45 p.m.

GAB to order Senate recall recount today

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 08:21:00 CST

Government Accountability Board officials plan to order a recount today, after the apparent loser in a Racine County senate recall requested one last week.

Republican Sen. Van Wanggaard currently trails Democrat John Lehman by 834 votes, out of about 72,000 cast.

GAB attorney Mike Haas says the recount needs to be completed within 13 days of the order.

The Racine County clerk's office says the recount will begin on Wednesday. Racine County taxpayers will pick up the tab for most of the recount, but Wanggaard has to pay a $685 fee.

Work continues on Appleton bike trails

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 08:20:00 CST

Appleton street crews are putting bike lanes on Newberry Street this year, to help give bicyclists on the city's east side easier access to the rest of the city.

Appleton traffic engineer Eric Lom says that lane will connect them with Telulah Park, the downtown area, and the city's westside.

He says it's important because more people are ditching their cars for their bikes, for short trips.

Lom says they have a 20-year master plan to make the city much more bicycle friendly.

Onalaska woman crowned Miss Wisconsin

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 07:39:00 CST

The new Miss Wisconsin is from Onalaska.

23-year-old Katherine Gorman won the competition on Saturday, in Oshkosh.

She recently graduated from UW-La Crosse, with a degree in elementary art education. Gorman was Miss La Crosse-Oktoberfest.

23-year-old Kathryn Williams of Wisconsin Rapids was the first runner-up.

The winner of last year's Miss Wisconsin pageant, Laura Kaeppler, became Miss America.

(Photo, from left: 3rd runner-up Miss New Berlin Raquel Bruening, 1st runner-up Miss Heart of Wisconsin Katie Williams, Miss Wisconsin 2012 Kate Gorman, 2nd runner-up Miss Seven Rivers Elizabeth Kramer, 4th runner-up Miss Heart of the Valley Desiree Geffers. Photo courtesy of Miss Wisconsin Organization.)

17-yr-old was victim of Oconto Co. crash

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 07:38:00 CST

The victim of an accident in Oconto County early last Friday morning was a 17-year-old girl.

The sheriff's department says Jamie Bialozynski was riding in the backseat of a car, when the driver lost control in the town of Pensaukee, and went into a ditch. She was thrown from the car, along with two other females who were in the backseat. Those two passengers, and the driver, were taken to local hospitals.

A passenger in the front seat wasn't hurt.

Investigators say speed was the leading factor in the crash, and alcohol wasn't.

Kratz reaches deal in ethics case

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 21:45:00 CST

There's a deal in the ethics case against a former Calumet County prosecutor.

Longtime district attorney Ken Kratz resigned in the fall of 2010 in the midst of a sexting scandal, and he agreed to plead no contest to six counts of misconduct for allegations of sexual harassment.

The Office of Lawyer Regulation initially filed 11 counts of misconduct, and there was a hearing scheduled in Appleton on Tuesday. The agency agreed to drop the other five charges.

Kratz was accused of sending sexually suggestive text messages to a domestic abuse victim nearly two years ago, and the OLR reopened its investigation. Kratz stepped down a few weeks after the story broke, at the same time former Governor Doyle was taking steps to remove him from office.

The OLR was seeking to suspend Kratz's law license for six months.

The State Bar of Wisconsin's directory of attorneys shows Kratz's current address is in Pompano Beach, Fla.

Wanggaard requests recount in Senate recall

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 21:44:00 CST

A Republican senator is officially asking for a recount in a recall race that will decide the control of the state Senate.

Democratic challenger John Lehman of Racine topped Sen. Van Wanggaard by 834 votes out of nearly 72,000 cast.

Wanggaard will have to pay for part of the recount, because the margin of victory was nearly 1.2 percent.

If Lehman holds on, Democrats will take over the majority in the Senate, until the November election.

Walker, Ryan going to Romney campaign stop

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 21:43:00 CST

Governor Walker will join Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney when he campaigns in Janesville on Monday.

Walker's campaign spokesman Tom Evenson says the governor will be with Romney for the stop at Monterey Mills. It's Romney's first visit to the state since he won the GOP primary in April.

Congressman Paul Ryan of Janesville also plans to be there. He's frequently mentioned as a possible Romney running mate.

Appleton employees to remove terrace signs

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 21:42:00 CST

If you're holding a rummage sale in Appleton, and your signs are missing, the city probably took them.

Appleton police Lt. Pat Matuszewski says it's always been illegal to put the signs in terraces, boulevards, or other parts of the public right-of-way.

He says the city council recently gave the police...public works staffers, and other city employees the authority to take them, and throw them away.

Matuszewski says the old process was much more time consuming, because they had to contact the person who placed the sign, warn them, and give them a $326 fine if they didn't remove the sign. He says the fine is still available for repeat offenders.

Matuszewski says the new policy wasn't in place before this month's recall election.

Firefighters training on large vehicles

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 21:41:00 CST

It's much more difficult for firefighters to get people out of large vehicles, when they get in a crash, and they're trapped inside.

Today, crews from Appleton and Grand Chute are getting some hands-on training.

Grand Chute assistant fire chief Mike DeBruler says they're at Appleton Auto Recyclers in Mackville today for an exercise using buses, semis, cement trucks, and other large vehicles.

DeBruler says they don't get the opportunity to do this kind of training often, because the vehicles are hard to come by.

Demolition starts on Catholic school in Kaukauna

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 21:40:00 CST

Crews are tearing down a former Catholic school in Kaukauna.

St. Mary's school on W. 8th Street opened in 1928, and Rev. Jerry Pastors says the tornado that touched down in the city last year took off about one-third of the roof. He says while they were using the first floor of the building, the damage forced them to make a decision.

He says it wasn't cost effective to renovate the school, but they were able to salvage some items, like ceiling tiles.

Pastors says they found a time capsule in the cornerstone of the school, and they're going to open it up July 1, after the 10:30 a.m. mass.

Pastors says years ago, probably all of the teachers were nuns, and they had between 40 and 60 students in a classroom.

Once workers clear the site, Pastors says they'll use it for parking.

Family dairy farms still dwindling

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 20:59:00 CST

There's still a steady decline in the number of dairy farmers in Wisconsin.

State Ag Secretary Ben Brancel says there are now about 11,500.

Back in the 1940s and '50s, there were more than 100,000 family dairy farms in the state. While there are more "mega-farms," Brancel says the average size of a farm is still around 100 cows.

Rural Niagara man dies after cycle crash

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 20:58:00 CST

A 55-year-old rural Niagara man died from the injuries he suffered in a motorcycle accident earlier this week.

The Marinette County sheriff's department says Eddie Bendickson suffered severe head injuries in the crash on Tuesday night, on Morgan Park Road in the town of Niagara. He wasn't wearing a helmet, and he died yesterday at a Green Bay hospital.

Businesses eager for Packers training camp

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 08:24:00 CST

The Green Bay Packers announced their training camp schedule yesterday, and businesses in the stadium district are eagerly awaiting for the team to start practicing on July 26.

Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau President Brad Toll says training camp usually has an economic impact of about $5 million. He says they're hoping for a bounce back year, because crowds were smaller last year because of the NFL lockout.

Toll says if you factor in the shareholders meeting, Family Night, and two preseason games, Packers-related events in August will have an economic impact of $25 million to $30 million.

Appleton Farm Market turning 20

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 08:23:00 CST

The Appleton Farm Market is turning 20 years old.

Tomorrow is the first Saturday of the outdoor market along College Avenue in the downtown.

Jennifer Stephany of Appleton Downtown Inc. says they actually started in a parking lot at the corner of Washington and Superior streets, with fewer vendors. She says they moved to College Avenue 10 years ago.

Stephany says they have a waiting list of about 150 vendors, but they have to be careful not to expand too quickly.

The Farm Market will run on Saturday mornings, through the end of October, between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

The Art and Green markets are going to be back again this year, on the third Saturday of the month, on the east end of College Avenue.

Kaukauna marks Flag Day

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 08:22:00 CST

Kaukauna held a ceremony yesterday afternoon to honor the American flag.

Yesterday was Flag Day, and Jerry Brien of the Kaukauna Elks says it's important to reflect on what the flag stands for.

The origins of Flag Day are in the eastern Wisconsin village of Fredonia. It's believed that in 1885, a school teacher was the first to celebrate Flag Day on June 14.

(Pictured: Kaukauna Mayor Gene Rosin spoke during the Flag Day ceremony.)

DNR study shows economic impact of trees

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 08:21:00 CST

DNR officials hope a study on the impact of trees in the Green Bay metro area shows the importance of city trees.

Urban forestry assistant Kim Miller says publicly owned trees, like those on roadside terraces, have an economic impact of $6.1 million. She says that includes the amount of stormwater that's kept out of sewers, heating and cooling energy savings, increased property values, improved air quality, and carbon dioxide reduction.

Miller says those trees account for only a small fraction of all of the trees in the metro area, and the impact of all of them would be staggering.

The study focused on Green Bay, Allouez, Ashwaubenon, Bellevue, De Pere, Hobart, and Howard.

Ashwaubenon chase ends with crash

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 08:20:00 CST

The suspect in a high-speed chase in Ashwaubenon crashed into an on-coming vehicle, and then tried to run away.

Police say they were trying to arrest the 35-year-old Green Bay man on a felony retail theft charge, around 5 p.m. yesterday. They say he took off on Ashland Avenue, and made his way to Holmgren Way, before he crossed the centerline and hit the oncoming vehicle.

Two officers were able to catch the suspect, after he ran from the accident scene.

The other driver was taken to a hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

The man also had nine outstanding warrants.

Companies add 900 private jobs in May

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 22:10:00 CST

The latest report on jobs in the state shows an increase of 900 last month, in the private sector.

Preliminary figures from the department of workforce development boost the number of new private jobs for the first five months of the year, to 12,900. That includes revised numbers from April that reduced the loss in private jobs by 1,900, to a decrease of 4,300 that month.

The report shows there were also 1,700 new public sector jobs in May, bringing the total for the year to an increase of 16,500.

The unemployment rate went up 0.1 percent in May, to 6.8 percent.

Doctor supports new Pop Warner hitting rules

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 21:45:00 CST

A local doctor says a change in Pop Warner football rules, limiting full-speed hits in practice, is a good idea.

Erica Kronke is a ThedaCare sports medicine doctor. She says many patients come into her office with broken bones, and other injuries, but the head and neck injuries caused by high-speed sports collisions are some of the most troubling.

Kronke says the problem has always been around, but more people are becoming aware of the danger.

She says scientists still don't know the full extent of brain damage caused by concussions.

Weather service to send severe weather texts

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 21:44:00 CST

Cell phone providers and the National Weather Service are launching a new tool, to let people know when severe weather is coming, wherever they are.

Gary Austin is a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's Green Bay office. He says within a month, they'll launch an program that automatically sends a text to all cell phones in an area effected by the warning. He says it's a great tool for travelers.

Austin says the service is free, and people don't have to sign up for it. He says the warning texts can be turned off by the cell customer.

Valley Transit closer to adding new route

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 21:43:00 CST

It looks like Valley Transit could have a new bus route sometime next month.

While the city council still needs to sign off on the proposal, the bus system would start running Route 9 in downtown Appleton and the flats, once a senior apartment building opens in mid-July. The Appleton Housing Authority is moving about 70 people from Washington Place...to a new building in the Eagle Flats development.

Valley Transit spokeswoman Nikki Voeltzke says the route will follow the same loop as the downtown trolley. Because there's already a contract in place for the trolley this year, that will continue to run at its normal times. Voeltzke says the rest of the time, they'll use one of Valley Transit's hybrid buses for the route.

Voeltzke says Outagamie County is providing a $30,000 grant, and Valley Transit is asking for the city of Appleton to chip in $10,000.

The Fox Cities Transit Commission and the city's finance committee unanimously approved the funding yesterday.

More Neenah students to use iPads in class

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 21:42:00 CST

Some Neenah teachers are learning about iPads this week, now that the district is going to have one in the classroom for every fifth, sixth, and seventh-grade student.

Diane Doersch (DURSH) is the director of instructional technology, and she says they've already tried them, on a limited basis in some classrooms this past year. She says things went so well, they decided to expand.

Doersch says they saw a marked improvement in math skills, thanks to a website that students used. She says a fifth-grade social studies class used them to produce videos about the founding of Jamestown. She says they also saw a marked increase in math skills, thanks to a website students used.

Doersch says the students will leave the iPads in the classroom at the end of each day. She says the district is paying for them by reallocating some money from the budget for textbooks to technology.

Green Bay lion was cub of lion at Madison zoo

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 20:59:00 CST

The legacy of a popular lion at the Madison zoo lives on at the NEW Zoo in Green Bay.

The African lion Vilas died yesterday at the Henry Vilas Zoo, after officials learned she had cancer.

One of Vilas' cubs, Ajia, came to the NEW Zoo in 2006.

Carmen Murach is the curator of animals in Green Bay, and she says Ajia is a little bit of a goofy lion, and she's had three cubs of her own. She says Ajia is an excellent mother.

Two of Ajia's cubs are now at the Memphis zoo, and a third is in Buffalo, N.Y.

Murach says they hope Ajia and her partner Shambe have more cubs soon.

Vilas raised eight cubs, after she arrived at the Madison zoo in 1997. Officials found out this week she had developed an aggressive type of cancer, and they decided to euthanize her.

Pearl Harbor survivors leaving for Hawaii

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 08:25:00 CST

Twenty Pearl Harbor survivors from the state are flying to Hawaii today, to visit memorials for "the day that will live in infamy."

Drew MacDonald of Old Glory Honor Flight says the veterans on the special "Return to Pearl" trip are between 88 and 92 years old. He says a few of them haven't been back since.

MacDonald says they're getting private tours from the Navy, including at the site of the U.S.S. Arizona.

He says they expect the trip will cost up to $90,000, and donations from companies and the public will cover it.

The group is flying from Chicago today, and everyone is coming back next Tuesday. MacDonald says they'll have a welcome home ceremony at 11:45 a.m. that day, at Candlewood Suites in Appleton.

Saurbeir gets 40 years for beating death

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 08:24:00 CST

One of the men convicted of killing a Calumet County man is going to prison for 40 years.

30-year-old Robert Saurbeir of Manitowoc entered a no contest plea to a charge of first-degree reckless homicide a couple of months ago, for the murder of 37-year-old Joseph Baer.

Court records say Saurbeir and James Loewe used a hammer, pipe, chain, and stick to beat Baer to death in March of last year. The three men knew each other, and the murder happened at a farmhouse in the town of Rantoul that Loewe was renting.

Loewe also pleaded no contest to same charge, and he'll be sentenced soon.

Once Saurbeir is released from prison, he'll spend another 20 years on extended supervision.

Bill targets food stamp fraud

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 08:23:00 CST

A big bust in Brown County, for fraud in the state's food stamp program, could give two lawmakers some momentum.

Republican Reps. Andre Jacque of Bellevue and Chad Weininger of Green Bay want to provide incentives to whistleblowers, and sheriff's departments that dedicate investigators to the issue.

Weininger says they need to crack down.

Beach Road Liquor in Green Bay is accused of selling Food Share participants alcohol and tobacco, or giving them cash. The store would then charge twice the total to their Qwest debit card.

Appleton teacher receives major award

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 08:22:00 CST

An Appleton East chemistry teacher is one of two Wisconsin teachers to receive the Presidential Teaching Award.

Kara Pezzi says she's strived to win the award since she became a teacher, and it's a major honor. She says she does her best to help her students understand chemistry, by having them do experiments they can relate to.

Appleton East Principal Matt Mineau says Pezzi puts in extra hours before and after school to meet with students who need a little extra help. He says she's an asset to the school.

Pezzi will travel to Washington D.C. later this month to receive her award. She'll also get a $10,000 prize.

Bat disease getting closer to Wis.

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 08:21:00 CST

A fungus that causes a fatal disease in bats is getting very close to Wisconsin, and officials are asking cave explorers to thoroughly clean their clothes, to avoid spreading the disease.

DNR bat biologist Dave Redell says officials in Iowa found bats with white-nose syndrome in a northeast Iowa cave, just 30 miles from the Wisconsin border.

He says the disease already killed six million bats in the U.S. and Canada, and it's very contagious.

Redell says the disease is fatal more than 70 percent of the time.

Redell says bats eat a lot of insects. He says bats save farmers up to $1.5 billion a year in potential crop loss, and other expenses that they would incur, because of the bugs that bats eat.

Authorities bust food stamp fraud in G.B.

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 21:45:00 CST

Investigators in Brown County say they've uncovered one of the largest cases of fraud in the food stamp program, in the state.

Sheriff John Gossage says they're seeking charges against the owner of Beach Road Liquor in Green Bay, and three family members.

He says they would let people use the Qwest debit cards they receive through FoodShare, to buy alcohol and tobacco, and then charge them twice as much. Gossage says if someone wanted cash, they would take their card and PIN number, and use it at various stores, spending twice as much on items.

He says investigators were able to identify more than 1,200 transactions just from last month, totaling more than $10,000.

Jenny Hoffman of the county's human services department says staffers noticed something was going on. She says they're trying to crack down on fraud because there are people who really need the program.

The district attorney's office will consider filing several felony charges. The card-holders could also face charges, and they lose their FoodShare benefits for up to a year.

Hovde unveils economic plan

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 21:44:00 CST

A Republican candidate for U.S. Senate says he has a series of proposals to turn around the economy.

Businessman Eric Hovde was in De Pere this morning, at Cleaning Systems Inc. He says first and foremost, the country needs to deal with the deficit by cutting spending. He says he would also repeal the federal health care reforms.

His proposals also include reforming the tax code, eliminating corporate tax breaks, working toward energy independence, and ending cronyism in politics.

Hovde will face former governor Tommy Thompson, former congressman Mark Neumann, and Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald in the August 14 primary. The winner will take on Democratic Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin in November.

Voices of Men trying to make cultural changes

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 21:43:00 CST

More than 400 Fox Valley men gathered this morning to raise awareness of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and other ways that women are held down in society.

Shannon Kenevan is a leader in the Voices of Men organization. He says a speaker from New York came to the breakfast meeting, to talk about ways that men can address the problem.

Kenevan says the speaker gave an example of a football team...that wrote letters before prom and homecoming, about how they planned to behave with their dates.

Kenevan says they also discussed how saying things like "you throw like a girl" are demeaning, and lead to thoughts of women being worth less than men.

The Fox Valley Voices of Men chapter is in its third year.

Prospect Ave. project going back to council

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 21:42:00 CST

A road widening and bridge replacement project is going back to the Appleton city council.

The city's municipal services committee signed off on the plans for a new, wider bridge on Prospect Avenue between State and Walnut streets. They would also expand the traffic lanes to 11-feet wide and add bike lanes.

Appleton public works director Paula Vandehey says people in the neighborhood wanted 10-foot lanes, but that won't work for larger vehicles, like buses, garbage trucks, and delivery vehicles.

Vandehey says the city could also lose more than $1 million in federal funding for the $1.4 million project, if the lanes are narrower than 11 feet.

If the city council approves the plan, construction wouldn't start until 2015 at the earliest.

Miss Wisconsin pageant under way

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 21:40:00 CST

Last year's Miss Wisconsin became Miss America, and the pageant to pick the state's next winner starts tonight.

Pageant spokeswoman Ann Stawski says it's one of the preliminary rounds. The finals will be on Saturday.

There are 23 contestants from around the state, and the winner will advance to the Miss America pageant.

Miss America Laura Kaeppler will be in Oshkosh for the competition. Stawski says the Kenosha woman got a chance to fulfill one of her dreams, by meeting Aaron Rodgers at a Milwaukee Bucks game earlier this year.

Stawski says tickets are still available for tonight's show. It starts at 7:30 p.m., at Oshkosh West high school.

Lawmakers go to 'brat summit'

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 08:25:00 CST

The much-hyped "brat summit" at the governor's mansion is over.

Republican Sen. Dale Schultz of Richland Center says he's optimistic about the possibility for civility, and bi-partisanship. He says they have to start somewhere.

Democratic Sen. Bob Jauch of Poplar says the event hosted by Governor Walker was a chance for lawmakers to talk informally about serious matters. But he says mostly, people were just enjoying the late afternoon and the good weather.

The "brat summit" came one week after Governor Walker won his recall election.

Appleton to look at policies for food trucks

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 08:24:00 CST

More food trucks are setting up shop in downtown Appleton, and city leaders want to make sure they can succeed, along with the brick-and-mortar businesses.

The municipal services committee voted 4-to-1 yesterday to explore new policies for the trucks.

Jennifer Stephany is the executive director of Appleton Downtown Inc., and she says a lot of bigger cities have found a way for the two to co-exist.

Stephany says there is currently a 50-foot setback for trucks, from similar businesses.

City staffers are expected to present some recommendations to the committee in a couple of weeks.

Harley dealer raises money for injured riders

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 08:22:00 CST

A group of motorcycle riders and a Harley-Davidson dealer in Fond du Lac are doing what they can to help the victims of a deadly motorcycle crash, and their families.

The crash happened nearly two weeks ago, when a 25-year-old Hilbert man crossed the centerline on Highway 151, and hit 10 motorcycle riders from Michigan. Two men died, and several others were hurt.

Lori Theil of Open Road Harley Davidson says a group of riders went to the scene of the crash, and agreed to store five of the damaged bikes, and the belongings of injured riders.

She says during a fundraiser last weekend, they also collected $8,000 to help cover some of the costs for families. Theil says bikers take care of their own.

Theil says a group of local riders will deliver the money, and a flag with well wishes, to Michigan.

Forensic investigators taking class at FVTC

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 08:21:00 CST

Fox Valley Technical College instructors are teaching crime scene investigators evidence gathering techniques as part of a two-week course, and it highlights two new methods that can save departments time and money.

Dan Feucht is helping teach the class. He says one of the new techniques helps investigators recover shoe prints on dusty surfaces, using a special piece of film. He says it costs $1 per sheet, and replaces a $650 machine that is typically used to do that work.

The other new tool uses a special compound to collect fingerprints from frozen surfaces. Feucht says it only takes 10 to 15 minutes, and the old method took several hours.

Feucht says they teach the forensics class every year, and each year they have some new techniques to show the investigators.

Wis. temps rising faster than most states

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 08:20:00 CST

Temperatures in Wisconsin are warming at the fourth-fastest rate in the country.

Climate Central crunched the numbers for the last century, and it's highlighting its findings from the last 40 years.

Spokesman Richard Wiles says Wisconsin isn't alone in the Midwest, for its trend over the last four decades. Minnesota and Michigan was also in the top 10.

Over that time, Wisconsin's temperatures have climbed by 0.6 degrees, each decade.

Over the last 100 years, Wisconsin ranked 16th.

Not guilty pleas entered in Appleton cold case

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 21:45:00 CST

The suspect in an Appleton cold case is pleading not guilty.

The attorney for 57-year-old Roman Zareczny entered the pleas this morning in Outagamie County court, for three charges of sexual assault of a child.

Prosecutors accuse Zareczney of attacking a girl outside of Lincoln elementary school in November of 1989. Zareczny's attorney says his client couldn't have committed the crime, because he was bowling from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on the night of the attack, prosecutors say the girl was assaulted earlier in the day.

Judge Michael Gage scheduled a three-day trial starting September 5.

Zareczny was charged for the sexual assault of a girl at Reid golf course in April of 1989, but that case was dismissed because the statute of limitations ran out.

Prof: Bipartisanship up to lawmakers

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 21:44:00 CST

It will be up to individual lawmakers to decide if they want to work with their colleagues on the other side of the political aisle.

That's the feeling of Lawrence University political science professor Arnold Shober, as Democrats and Republicans are set to gather for Governor Walker's "brat summit" this afternoon.

Republican Sen. Mike Ellis says it's going to be up to seasoned lawmakers on both sides to step forward in the Senate. He says Democrats Bob Jauch and Tim Cullen, and Republicans Rob Cowles and Luther Olsen would have to say they've had enough, and it's time to work together.

Ellis says either that happens, or "the under-40 hotheads that are starting to permeate the Capitol" will run the place.

Prohibition group angry about beer at summit

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 21:43:00 CST

The leader of the group that pushed for Prohibition a century ago says Governor Walker is setting a bad example by serving beer at today's summit.

President Rita Wert of the Women's Christian Temperance Union says the judgements of policy makers shouldn't be clouded by alcohol, because the problems facing Wisconsin are serious.

Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie says the governor respectfully disagrees.

Lehman widens lead in close Senate recall race

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 21:42:00 CST

A Democrat from Racine widened his lead in a close recall race that will determine control of the state Senate.

Racine County officials finished their canvass of last week's results, and Democrat John Lehman picked up 55 more votes over Republican Sen. Van Wanggaard. He now leads Wanggaard by 834 votes out of nearly 72,000 cast.

Wanggaard has to decide whether to ask for a recount. If he goes ahead with it, he would have to pay $5 per ward, because Lehman leads by nearly 1.2 percent.

Democrats would take over the majority of the Senate, until the November election, if the results stand.

Median net worth drops 40% in U.S.

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 21:41:00 CST

The median net worth of U.S. families fell nearly 40 percent from 2007 to 2010.

That's according to figures from the federal reserve, and they're not surprising to a local financial advisor.

Christina Winch of Winch Financial in Appleton says the problem is more than falling home prices. She says many people are pulling money out of their retirement accounts to help their adult children who have lost jobs and homes.

Winch says many retirees are also helping their elderly parents, because they're living much longer. She says the trend could continue for the foreseeable future, especially considering the high national debt.

Winch says many people will have to delay their retirements until age 70. She says people need to save as much as they possibly can during their working years.

Winch says there are some simple things people can do to shore up their nest eggs, like as purchasing short-term municipal bonds, between three and 11 percent. She says dividend-paying stocks are a good option for long-term investors.

UW, DPI to offer college classes in high schools

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 21:40:00 CST

A new partnership between the UW Colleges and the state department of public instruction will give students more access to college courses, while they're in high school.

UW-Fox Valley Dean Martin Rudd says they're going to offer classes in high schools, taught by accredited teachers. He says they'll also offer classes on-line, if a school doesn't have a certified teacher.

Rudd says they haven't figured out how much the classes would cost.

At the latest, officials hope to start the program by the 2013-14 school year.

Children's Museum of G.B. now open

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 20:59:00 CST

There's a new attraction for kids in Green Bay.

The Children's Museum held its grand opening ceremony this morning.

Executive Director Toni Burnett says it's the culmination of several years of planning, and two years of construction. She says it was exciting to see about 250 kids running around this morning.

The museum is in the downtown, in the 300 block of N. Washington Street,and Burnett says it has activities for kids of all ages.

The museum's board members are still trying to raise $1 million, to reach their $4.5 million goal.

Burnett says they hope to close that gap, now that people can see the museum.

Deer farms welcome federal CWD rules

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 20:58:00 CST

Deer farms from across the country will have to comply with new rules from the federal government, to battle chronic wasting disease.

Robert Ehlenfeldt is the state veterinarian for the agriculture department. He says deer farms welcome the rules that require them to test any deer that are over 12 months old when they die.

Ehlenfeldt says the federal rules take effect in August, and they're very similar to ones the state is already enforcing. He says Wisconsin's standards were put in place in 2003, and they've been working well.

Lawmakers going to governor's 'brat summit'

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 08:25:00 CST

Republican and Democratic state lawmakers are getting together this afternoon at Governor Walker's "brat summit," with the goal of finding ways to work with each other.

The governor announced during his victory speech last week that he was going to host the event at the governor's mansion.

Democratic Sen. Dave Hansen of Green Bay says anytime there's a chance to talk things out, it's a good thing.

Republican Sen. Rob Cowles of Green Bay says while it might not have seemed like it, the parties did collaborate on some smaller issues. He says they didn't generate as much attention.

About 100 lawmakers are expected to go to the cookout. Legislative staffers will be there as well.

(Pictured: Sen. Rob Cowles, left; Sen. Dave Hansen, right.)

Non-stop elections keep clerks very busy

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 08:24:00 CST

Even though the political world is focusing on the fall elections, municipal clerks are still surrounded by paperwork from last week's recall.

Appleton city clerk Char Peterson says they have to scan the codes of the nearly 31,000 people who voted into a state voter history database. She says they do that by going through the poll books, so they never know who someone voted for.

Peterson says they also have to put about 3,600 newly registered voters into the system.

Peterson says she just finished the canvass of the vote totals yesterday afternoon, and turned them into the Outagamie County clerk's office.

The next election is the August 14 primary, and Peterson says they have to start mailing absentee ballots by June 27.

Besides elections, clerks are also in charge of licenses, and the month of June is a busy one for that, because all liquor and bartender licenses have to be renewed. Peterson says they have to process about 1,000 of them.

Couple safe after they were stranded abroad

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 08:23:00 CST

A Neenah woman and her boyfriend were stranded for nine days in the New Zealand wilderness, but they're doing well.

Erica Klintworth and her boyfriend, Alec Brown, went camping before final, while participating in a study abroad program through UW-Stevens Point.

Eric Yonke is the university's international program director. He says a snowstorm blew through the area, and blocked their way out.

Yonke says another student noticed they were missing and called authorities on Saturday. Klintworth and Brown were found a short time later.

Yonke says they missed their final exams, but they're going to make them up.

Klintworth and Brown were very hungry, but they were healthy. Yonke says they stayed warm using some nearby hot springs, and they rationed their food.

Appleton still waiting for first rain of June

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 08:22:00 CST

The heat wave may be over in northeast Wisconsin, but the dry spell will stick around for a while.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Scott Cultice says Appleton hasn't received any measurable rain this month, and it will be at least a week before we have another chance for any.

Cultice says the Appleton area may be upgraded to "abnormally dry" in the next drought index, but we wouldn't be considered in a drought, for quite a while.

He says the last measurable rain in Appleton, fell on May 31 when we received a trace. The last one-inch rain fell on May 4.

Cultice says we are slightly above average for yearly precipitation for this time of year.

Stretch of Hwy. KK closed for road work

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 08:21:00 CST

About a one-mile segment of Highway KK is closed for the next few weeks, for a road construction project.

Calumet County highway commissioner Mike Ottery says they're re-paving about a one-mile stretch, from Highway N east to the county line.

He says they hope to finish by the beginning of July. He says hopefully the weather will be good, because they understand the impact that the closure will have on traffic.

The road is closed to thru traffic, and there is access to businesses.

Ottery says they're going to pulverize the original road, and put new pavement on top of it. He says they're also going to fix a couple of drainage problems along the road.

FVTC hosting job fair for veterans today

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 08:20:00 CST

About 50 companies and service providers are participating in a job fair for veterans today.

The event is at Fox Valley Technical College from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

2 lawmakers boycotting 'brat summit'

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 21:44:00 CST

The goal of Governor Walker's "brat summit" tomorrow is to jump-start a more bi-partisan atmosphere, but lawmakers from both parties are already bickering about it.

Republican Rep. Steve Nass of Whitewater and Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan of Madison say they're boycotting the event at the governor's mansion.

Nass says he's not happy with critical comments that Democrats made about Governor Walker over the weekend.

Pocan says there needs to be a real dialogue about bipartisanship, and not just over brats and beer.

Appleton city pools are open

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 21:40:00 CST

Appleton's two outdoor city swimming pools are open for the rest of the summer.

Kabel Helmbrecht of the city's parks department oversees Mead and Erb pools, and he says they had great attendance numbers over the weekend, because of the hot weather.

He says there are still spots available, for swimming lessons. They start next Monday.

The department also partners with the school district over the summer, to open the indoor pool at West high school.

Dems tout Baldwin at Appleton convention

kissfm@wcinet.com (KISS) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 08:23:00 CST

The name on the lips of Democrats at their weekend convention in Appleton was Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin.

She's running for U.S. Senate this fall, in hopes of succeeding retiring Sen. Herb Kohl.

Baldwin says the four Republicans in the race have the wrong priorities.

Former Governor Tommy Thompson, former Congressman Mark Neumann, Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald, and businessman Eric Hovde are running in the August Republican primary.

State Democrats held their convention at the Radisson Paper Valley hotel.