News 12.28.16
28 December 2016 News
A Waupun elementary school teacher is a finalist for the presidential awards for excellence in mathematics and science teaching. Rock River Intermediate School 6th grade science teacher Leigh Kohlmann is one of four finalists for the award. Applications for Wisconsin’s four finalists will be judged at the national level by a committee organized by the National Science Foundation. In addition to recognition and professional development events in Washington, D.C., winners receive $10,000 and a citation signed by the president. The National Science Foundation administers the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
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The Sears Hometown Store in Oshkosh is officially closing its doors. While no official date has been released, signs hanging on the storefront state the location will shut down. The Sears company announced this month it would be closing more stores throughout the country, after already shutting down 50 earlier in the year. While the store is going out of business, it is advertising large discounts on the remaining products. Other Sears locations remain open in Appleton and Green Bay.
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Delays continue in regards to a federal appeals court ruling on whether the Highway 23 expansion project between Fond du Lac and Plymouth should move forward. 1000 Friends of Wisconsin had filed a lawsuit that halted funding for the project, stating the project was unnecessary and enough research had not been done. Fond du Lac County Executive Al Buechel says the court ruling on whether or not the project stays halted may not happen until March or April. Buechel says Governor Scott Walker has already stated no money will be included in the next state budget for the project, but funding should have been lined up in case the appeals court rules in the state’s favor.
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Repeat drunken drivers will face tougher penalties in Wisconsin starting with the new year. Gov. Scott Walker signed a law in April that makes a fourth drunken driving offense a felony regardless of when it’s committed. Currently a fourth offense is a felony only if committed within five years of a third offense. The law also increases the maximum sentence for fifth and sixth offenses from three years to five. Maximum sentences for seventh, eighth and ninth offenses will increase from five years to seven and a half. The maximum sentence for a 10th or subsequent offense will move from seven and a half years to a decade behind bars. The measure goes into effect Jan. 1. Wisconsin remains the only the state that doesn’t criminalize a first offense, however.
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Gov. Scott Walker appoints a new transportation secretary as he gears up for a budget battle over how to pay for roads. Walker announced Tuesday that he has appointed Department of Safety and Professional Services Secretary Dave Ross to serve as secretary of the Department of Transportation. Ross replaces Mark Gottlieb, who plans to resign effective Jan. 6. Walker’s announcement didn’t offer any explanation for Gottlieb’s resignation. Walker spokesman Tom Evenson says Gottlieb plans to retire. Gottlieb’s departure comes as the transportation budget faces a $1 billion shortfall. Walker has proposed delaying major projects and borrowing to pay for maintenance. Assembly Republicans have said everything should be considered, including raising the state’ gas tax.
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Dane County residents say basing F-35 fighter jets in Madison would be too noisy. People around Truax Field are already fed up with the noise from F-16s. Sara Petzold said the windows of her home on Madison’s north side rattle when military jets from Truax fly over. Melanie Foxcroft, who lives on Madison’s east side, says F-16 noise is “ear-shattering.” The U.S. Air Force is looking for two bases to houses F-35 Lightning IIs. Truax is one of five finalists. Air Force officials say the F-35s usually produce noise equivalent to F-16s but could be quieter on takeoff because they don’t use afterburners as frequently. Noise studies taking into account conditions at Truax will be completed next year.
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