News 01.23.17
23 January 2017 News
After years of hard work, some University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh students got to cross the stage at their graduation Saturday. It’s something they thought they may never be able to do. When snow canceled University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh’s mid-year graduation December 17, many students and their families were not happy. An online petition to reschedule the ceremony was created and gained more than 1,2000 signatures. The school said it was already planning on rescheduling the ceremony but the petition showed how passionate the students were.. Friends and family filled the stands at the Kolf Center as about 500 graduates received their diplomas.
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Some Northeast Wisconsin lawmakers want to do away with mandated confining and testing of police K9’s after they bite someone. The idea comes from a Green Bay Police lieutenant who says the current protocol is unnecessary because while a mighty bite from a police K9 can save an officer’s life or nab a suspect, it can apparently cost departments a lot of money. Lt. Van Egeren says police dogs are on stringent vaccination schedules. He wants to do away with state law requiring K9’s to be confined and see a veterinarian three times in ten days every time it bites someone to make sure it’s not rabid or sick. State Representative Andre Jacque, (R) De Pere, is trying to change the law by proposing a new one. With Lt. Van Egeren’s support, Rep. Jacque is authoring a bill co-sponsored by State Rep. David Steffen, (R) Green Bay, and State Sen. Robert Cowles, (R) Green Bay. The measure would require K9’s be seen by vets only if someone asks, while eliminating mandated confinement. The bill would require the handler to notify health officials if the dog exhibits abnormal behavior. Rep. Jacque feels handlers should have discretion, and doesn’t want K9 resources off the streets longer than need-be.
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The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ordered documents released relating to so-called John Doe proceedings which centered around the actions of Gov. Scott Walker during his time as Milwaukee county executive and then governor. In a decision released Friday, the court ordered that a listing of documents be made available to the public. It is unclear how heavily redacted the documents will be. Documents from the secret investigations have been tightly sealed, though some were leaked by The Guardian US in September. Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson partially dissented with the decision, saying she favored the release of the documents but did not agree that all the redactions were necessary or consistent. Justices Ann Walsh Bradley, Rebecca Grassl Bradley and Daniel Kelly did not participate.
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Wisconsin landowners have a unique opportunity to receive an ecological assessment of their property for free. On the Lettau family farm in Winnebago County, an appreciation for the land runs deep. In 2015, the Lettaus learned about a new program offered through the DNR, paid for through private donations to the Wisconsin Endangered Resources Fund. Through a lottery system, 100 landowners would be selected to receive a free comprehensive ecological report on their property — an assessment that would normally cost more than $300. The Lettau farm was chosen, and that summer a DNR biologist spent a day taking photos and gathering research. Since then, the Lettaus have taken a number of steps to improve the habitat, water clarity and soil on their farm, including planting clover for pollinators — all triggered by the assessment they received.
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A former Manitowoc Wal-Mart worker with Down syndrome is taking the company to federal court. Marlo Spaeth was let go in July of 2015 after a dispute over scheduling. After working 15 years at the Manitowoc Wal-Mart store, Spaeth had trouble adjusting when management changed her work schedule of 12 to 4 p.m., forcing her to work later and sometimes longer shifts. Because of Spaeth’s Down syndrome, she was unable to adapt to the change in routine Instead of changing the schedule back, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC), which filed the lawsuit on her behalf, alleges store management warned Spaeth about leaving early and eventually fired her. The EEOC says the store violated the Americans with Disabilities Act knowing her disability would make it hard on her to adjust. Wal-Mart has responded to the lawsuit by saying in a statement:
“One of our core beliefs is respect for all individuals, and we do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. When a store’s needs change, we often adjust associate schedules to meet those demands. Ms. Spaeth’s job requirements were no different. We repeatedly spoke with Ms. Spaeth about the importance of working her full work schedule and she told us she understood. Despite this, she continually failed to complete her assigned shift and that is the reason she is no longer with the company. We’re sensitive to this situation and we tried to reach an amicable resolution that would support Ms. Spaeth. We remain open to continuing those discussions, but the EEOC has not acted in her best interest.”
While Spaeth and her sister both provided statements, they don’t expect to be physically present when the lawsuit goes before a federal judge later this year. The lawsuit seeks back pay and punitive damages against Wal-Mart. Spaeth adds she would like to have her job back.
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