News 10.12.16
12 October 2016 News
Milwaukee’s Collegiate Academy and Life Enforcement group and Fond du Lac are teaming up today for a “Love more, Hate Less” unity campaign designed to help feed up to 50 homeless people. Fond du Lac police Officer Kewon Brown says the hope is something positive will help everyone look past the negativity that’s overwhelming the country right now, between politics and equality issues. Brown says the event is open to the public and will be held from 11am-12:30pm at Berger Park. “Love More” shirts will be available for purchase, and can be ordered online at https://www.lifeenforcement.com/love-more/. Proceeds will benefit Milwaukee Collegiate Academy TCO’d club and their efforts to “Take Care Of,” a local non-profit organization in Fond du Lac.
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Wisconsin’s largest business association is attacking a Democratic state Senate candidate for proposing a gas tax increase even though the group has supported an increase for months. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce’s political advocacy arm has been running a television ad blasting Winnebago County Executive Mark Harris for proposing a gas tax increase. Harris told Wisconsin Eye last month that he supports a 3-cent increase in the tax to help fund roads. WMC President Kurt Bauer wrote on the association’s website in December 2014 that the simplest way to fund roads is through a “modest” gas tax hike and increasing vehicle registration fees. Harris’ opponent, Republican Dan Feyen, told Wisconsin Eye in July that he would be open to a 5-cent gas tax increase. WMC officials had no immediate comment.
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A Fitchburg teen accused of shooting an employee at the Beaver Dam Fleet Farm store in July 2015 pleads not guilty by mental disease or defect. Eighteen year old Jared Spencer entered the plea this week in Dodge County Circuit Court. He’s facing charges that include attempted first degree intentional homicide, first degree reckless injury, aggravated battery, first degree recklessly endangering safety- all with a use of a dangerous weapon enhancer; as well as charges of intentionally pointing a firearm at a person and retail theft. In February, Judge Joseph Sciascia ruled that Spencer was not competent to stand trial, but was likely to become competent. In July, a doctor’s report submitted to the court indicated Spencer had regained competency, and Judge Sciascia ruled that Spencer was competent to stand trial. Police say an assistant manager at the store was shot in the parking lot as he helped another employee detain Spencer, who was suspected of shoplifting some ammunition. Spencer is accused of pulling out a handgun, shooting the assistant manager, and then speeding off in his vehicle.
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The state insurance commissioner says premiums will rise an average of nearly 16 percent next year for Wisconsin health insurance plans on the Affordable Care Act exchange. Commissioner Ted Nickel encouraged individuals to explore their health insurance options because of the rate changes and the recent departures of numerous national carriers. Nickel said in a statement the average increase of 15.9 percent for Wisconsinites is lower than many other states. About 224,000 people in Wisconsin are insured through the exchange as of March. Nickel doesn’t agree with a new policy that allows the federal government to choose health plans for people whose insurers have left the exchange if they don’t pick a plan on their own.
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Federal regulators plan to visit Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources headquarters this week to investigate claims the agency is failing to enforcing water pollution laws and regulations. Midwest Environmental Advocates and 16 individuals petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to review water regulations in the state to ensure the DNR is complying with the Clean Water Act. The EPA in 2011 cited 75 deficiencies in how DNR handles water regulation. Four EPA regulators began paging through the agency’s water pollution files Tuesday and plan to spend four days this week at the DNR headquarters in Madison. The review could result in the EPA stripping the state’s authority to enforce federal regulations.DNR spokesman Jim Dick called the review standard procedure.
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Green Bay police say a 13-year-old is suspected of making a social media post with a clown photo threatening schools in Brown County. Police say officers are interviewing the teenager to understand motive and intent. But police say the threat was a hoax, and charges will be referred to juvenile authorities. Police stepped up their presence outside several schools Monday morning. The post was shared more than 400 times Sunday. Police say they found no specific threat, but precautions were being taken “to ensure the safety of students, staff and families.” The incident came amid a rash of hoaxes and threats of scary clown sightings across the country.
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