News 06.16.17
16 June 2017 News
The pilot of a small airplane got a military escort from F-16 fighter jets for apparently flying into presidential air space over Wisconsin. Two F-16s intercepted the small Cessna on Tuesday and escorted it to Dodge County Airport. The airport is about 30 miles from Pewaukee, where President Donald Trump was touring Waukesha County Technical College. Dodge County Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Smith says the Federal Aviation Administration reported the plane violated restricted air space. Smith says that means the plane likely violated restricted air space due to Trump’s visit. Smith says the pilot is from Burlington and was unaware of the air space restriction. Sheriff Dale Schmidt says there was no threat to the public.
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The Fond du Lac County Public Health Department says a dead crow found by a Fond du Lac resident has tested positive for the West Nile virus. This is the first bird that has tested positive for the virus in Fond du Lac County since surveillance began May 1st. West Nile is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitos acquire the virus by feeding on infected birds. Steps to reduce your risk include limiting time spent outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active and applying insect repellent.
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The Wisconsin state Senate approves a pair of bills designed to help fight drug abuse and addiction. One bill the Senate passed on a voice vote Wednesday would allow emergency and involuntary commitment for drug addicts. Supporters say that would be a tool to help put someone on the road to recovery. The other approved would ensure that someone who overdoses would be immune from probation or parole revocation if he or she enters a treatment program. Backers say the change would encourage people to call for help in an emergency. It passed 32-1 with Republican Sen. Steve Nass voting no. He says it goes too far in granting immunity. Both measures were sponsored by Republican Rep. John Nygren, of Marinette. They now head to Gov. Scott Walker for his consideration.
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Wisconsin’s unemployment rate is at its lowest level since October 1999. The state Department of Workforce Development reported Thursday that unemployment in May was 3.1 percent, down a tenth of a percent from April. Gov. Scott Walker is seizing on the news as signs that his six years as governor have turned around the state’s economy. Unemployment was 8.1 percent in 2011 when Walker took office. However, Wisconsin’s low unemployment rate is tracking with a national drop as well. The national rate in May was 4.3 percent and it was 9 percent in January 2011. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported last month that Wisconsin added the fewest jobs in 2016 of Walker’s six years in office. Thursday’s report shows the state lost 1,700 private sector jobs between April and May.
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A state appeals court says a military judge properly punished a Wisconsin Army National Guard soldier for soliciting sex from recruits, marking the first time a state appellate court has weighed in on a court-martial decision. Jesse Riemer pleaded guilty to six counts of using rank for personal gain, maltreatment of a subordinate and discrediting the military. Military Judge David Klauser sentenced him to 30 days confinement and a bad-conduct discharge. Under Wisconsin law, court-martial appeals go to the state court of appeals. Riemer asked the 4th District Court of Appeals to dismiss his sentence. The court wrote Thursday that Riemer’s appeal marks the first time the law has been triggered. The court ruled Riemer’s sentence was fair and wasn’t unduly harsh.
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