News 08.04.16
4 August 2016 News
Two people suffer numerous injuries after a single-engine plane crashed in Fond du Lac County. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office says the plane came down Wednesday morning near an intersection in the Town of Fond du Lac. Sheriff’s captain Rick Olig says the crash happened when the pilot and an instructor were practicing take-offs and landings. Olig says the pilot, a Neenah man in his 70s, was transported to St. Agnes Hospital and the instructor from Oshkosh was flown by helicopter to Theda Clark Regional Medical Center in Neenah. Authorities say the plane apparently struck power lines along Esterbrook Road and lost control. Part of the road was closed while emergency and power crews worked at the scene.
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A state appeals court says Gov. Scott Walker’s public union restrictions voided retirement benefits for Neenah teachers. Neenah schools and teachers negotiated a two-year contract in 2009 that provided a stipend and medical benefits to retiring teachers. The contract included an evergreen clause that guaranteed the deal would continue after the contract expired. Lawmakers passed Walker’s restrictions in 2011. Neenah schools subsequently reduced benefits, prompting teachers to sue. The 2nd District Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that the school district acted properly, finding the 2009 contract didn’t extend benefits beyond its expiration and the union restrictions voided the evergreen clause. The teachers’ attorney, Charles Hertel, said he doesn’t believe the union restrictions invalidated pre-existing clauses and plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court.
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Two men who worked for the Green Bay Packers during the Brett Favre era are heading to Canton, Ohio — invited by the Hall of Fame honoree himself. Jim Dagneau worked in team security during the Favre years while Dean White worked in the video department. Dagneau and White say they’re honored that Favre reached out to them with an invitation, but say that’s just the kind of guy he is. White says that while in Green Bay, Favre would tell him to grab his clubs because they were going to Oneida Golf and Country Club. White says he used to tease Favre that when he was inducted in the Hall of Fame White wanted to be there. The men say having the chance to be reunited with Brett this weekend brings back some great memories.
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Gov. Scott Walker is asking President Barack Obama’s administration for a federal disaster declaration for nine northern Wisconsin counties and the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa tribal nation in the wake of torrential rains and flash flooding. Thunderstorms moved across the region beginning July 11, producing heavy rain, damaging winds and hail. Walker’s office said Wednesday that the storms caused more than $25 million in damage to roads and public infrastructure. A federal disaster declaration would mean the Federal Emergency Management Agency would cover 75 percent of local governments’ recovery costs. Walker plans to make his third visit to the region since the storms hit on Friday. He says he wants to encourage summer tourists to continue to visit the area.
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The chairman of the state Public Records Board says members won’t reconsider changes to its policy on how long government agencies must retain their records for several years. Chairman Matthew Blessing says the board’s next comprehensive review of policies won’t happen until 2020. Blessing says that until then, other pressing matters will take priority over a review of how long agencies must keep the so-called “transitory” records. About a year ago, the board quietly changed the definition of “transitory” correspondence and gave public officials leeway to immediately destroy certain records that they were previously required to keep. The revised definition was rescinded earlier this year following public criticism.
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The state Department of Natural Resources approves permanent regulations allowing captive deer farmers to opt out of the state’s chronic wasting disease monitoring program without upgrading their fences. Deer farms have had to enroll in the monitoring program to get DNR approval for a single fence. Farms that don’t participate in monitoring must install double or solid fencing. The DNR board in December adopted an emergency rule allowing farmers to opt out of monitoring without installing double or solid fencing. Agency officials say they’re worried farmers might not be able to afford to comply with new federal standards for monitoring, have to get out of the program and then pay to upgrade their fences. The board approved a permanent version of the rule 6-1 Wednesday in Ashland.
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