Saturday, July 4, 2009

Top Stories July 4th

Safety First this Fourth of July Weekend

7/4/09 - Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls is telling residents to enjoy their Fourth of July weekend but to do so in a smart and safe manner. Nehls says the only thing other than bad weather that could ruin the country’s celebration of its independence would be poor decision making by motorists. He recommends planning ahead when you’re traveling this weekend including designating a sober driver. Nehls says he also encourages anyone who observes unsafe driving to call the Sheriff’s Department.

“Baby Theresa” Ruled Fetal Death

7/4/09 - The death of a baby found in a garbage bag in April has been ruled a “Fetal Death”. The Dodge County Medical Examiner’s Office says the autopsy they performed indicated “Baby Theresa” was a full term female and had suffered NO trauma which would have resulted in her death. A toxicology screen also confirmed there were no drugs in the infant’s system. The baby was found in a wooded area near the village of Theresa. Authorities have been unable to find her mother.

Fox Lake Foods Closes

7/4/09 - A longtime store in Fox Lake closed recently. Fox Lake Foods closed late last month after being bought out by Kwik Trip. City Council President Tom Bednarek says not having a grocery store in town will be extremely detrimental considering it comes so soon after the elementary school was closed and the fact it’s the only grocery store in town. Though no plans have been made official, a sign in the window indicates Kwik Trip will be opening a store at the location. However, it’s currently unknown what level of service the store will provide.

Man Picks Up 5th OWI on Way to Fish

7/4/09 - A 44-year-old Waupun man never made it to the lake to fish yesterday morning after getting arrested for his 5th OWI. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department says Troy Navis was arrested on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated with passengers under the age of 16, which is a felony. Authorities say a caller reported the erratic driving of a pickup driven by Navis around 11:30 in the Town of Trenton. A deputy pulled the vehicle over on Jersey Road and noticed that Navis had his two young children with him. Navis was arrested and taken for a blood test. In 2006, Navis was convicted of fourth offense OWI with young children in the vehicle as well.

Tuition for UW Schools Possible

7/4/09 - The Board of Regents for the University of Wisconsin system is expected to vote on a 5-point-5 percent tuition hike at its next meeting Thursday. Such an increase would cost students an average of 300 dollars a year on the 13 campuses in the system. Tuition would be unchanged at Wisconsin's two-year schools. UW System President Kevin Reilly says he didn't want to raise the tuition, but that wasn't an option. Students at UW-Madison would pay the most -- an increase of 618 dollars. Annual increases at the other schools in the system would be between 220 and 359 dollars.

How to Prevent Getting E.Coli this 4th of July

7/4/09 - If grilling burgers is a part of your Fourth of July plans, don't let the most recent E. Coli scare get you down. A nationwide recall of ground beef distributed by the JBS Swift Company may have many grill masters worried about the burgers sitting in the freezer for this weekend, but the State Health Department's Stephanie Marquis says some simple precautions can help keep everyone healthy. Marquis says most of the meat was likely sold at stores over a month ago, so any beef bought recently should be just fine. If you've been holding on to meat bought around that time, a simple call to the grocery store where it was purchased should help determine if it is affected by the recall. Marquis says you can avoid most food-borne illnesses if you make sure to cook the meat thoroughly. She says most of the latest E. Coli-related illnesses were the result of undercooked beef. Beef should be heated to a temperature of 160-degrees Fahrenheit to kill any bacteria.

Lack of Money is the Main Issue at NEARA

7/4/09 - Money -- or the lack of it -- will be the talk at the National Education Association Representative Assembly in San Diego. Wisconsin Education Association Council President Mary Bell says adapting to the recession is on "everyone's agenda." Despite federal stimulus money, school districts in the state will come up short financially. When that happens, teachers can be laid off and programs like art and music often end up on the chopping block. Also on the agenda is boosting accountability and evolving education. Bell says Wisconsin has taken great steps in improving mathematics and English language standards. The NEA conference runs July 3rd to the 6th.

Threat Charges Leveled Against Spring Valley Woman

7/4/09 - Another inmate says Tally Rowan told her she was going to "get" two judges -- meaning she was going to kill them. The Spring Valley woman was already waiting to be sentenced for a felony battery conviction. The two women shared a cell block in Piece County two months ago. The witness says Rowan also talked about shooting police officers. No court date on the threat charges has been set. Rowan is to be sentenced on the battery conviction in September. She was found guilty of attacking a police officer in March of last year. She was also convicted of lesser charges like resisting an officer and carrying a concealed weapon.

Using Hip-Hop Music to Teach?

7/4/09 - Forty teachers from nine states meet next week in Madison. Their topic is using hip-hop in the classroom as a teaching tool. The conference at the University of Wisconsin will also focus on using spoken word as a teaching tool. The teachers say "spoken word" is telling a story in a lyrical way. They compare it to poetry. Teachers say using hip-hop language in the classroom can help marginalized students who might not have a chance of educational success otherwise. The conference will last all week. It is in its fourth year.

Fares Cut for Lake Express

7/4/09 - For the next two months the Lake Express will be cutting fares on some of its trips by 40 percent. That ferry makes two daily round trips between Milwaukee and Muskegon, Michigan. The cost is usually 91 dollars each way, but riders on the 6 a.m. cruise from Milwaukee, or the 11 p.m. cruise from Muskegon, will only have to pay 19 dollars for one of the crossings. You do have to buy a round trip ticket. The trip takes about two and a half hours. Lake Express can carry up to 250 passengers and 46 vehicles at a time.

DNR Reminding Motorists to Not Transport Firewood Over Long Distances

7/4/09 - Officials at the Department of Natural Resources remind holiday travelers not to give free rides to this hitch-hiker -- the dreaded Emerald Ash Borer. DNR spokesman Bob Manwell says the pest is not a strong flyer, but can move great distances by riding on loads of firewood, or other forest products. Manwell says campers should not transport firewood more than 50 miles. You should buy the stuff locally. The tree-killing bug came to the U.S. from eastern Asia in 2002 and was first discovered in Wisconsin in August 2008 in Ozaukee County. Wisconsin has an estimated 770 million ash trees that could be at risk from the Emerald Ash Borer.

State Looking to Help Clean-Up 2nd Largest WI Lake

7/4/09 - The state sets aside 300 thousand dollars to help Wisconsin's second-largest lake become more clean and healthy. The money will be used to study pollution in the Lake Petenwell flowage. Researchers will try to find ways to limit the phosphorus and algae that gets into the Wisconsin River system, then flows into the lake. The algae creates a smell that locals say is driving away tourism. Phosphorus comes from several sources, including residential and agricultural fertilizers. It drives the growth of algae, which then diminishes water quality. There is no timetable for when this project might begin. The state funding is called "seed money," because the entire effort could cost more than a million and a half dollars.

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