News 06.27.17
27 June 2017 News
A Fond du Lac lawmaker says a federal appellate panel ruling last week is not good news for the future of a Highway 23 expansion project between Fond du Lac and Plymouth. The three judge panel dismissed state officials’ efforts to obtain federal funding for the project. State representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt says one judge seemed to indicate that the state could proceed on its own, without federal funding, contrary to what state officials had said. But Thiesfeldt says that seems unlikely given the state transportation budget funding shortfall. Thiesfeldt says he believes the biggest need on the project is the area right in front of St. Mary’s Springs Academy – a place where roundabouts and a bridge was to be built to alleviate some of the traffic issues. Thiesfeldt says unfortunately the state’s hands may have been tied when federal money was used to do some of the preliminary work including purchasing property. Area lawmakers say they remain committed to the project and say the expansion is vital to the safety of roads and the strength of the local economy. An environmental group filed a lawsuit in 2011 to stop the project arguing the federal government couldn’t release money because a federal environmental impact statement was incomplete.
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A Wisconsin company says a fifth worker has died after an explosion last month at its corn milling plant. Didion Milling officials say Carlos “Charly” Nunez died Friday at a hospital from injuries he suffered in the May 31 explosion at the plant in Cambria. The community is about 45 miles northeast of Madison. The blast and fire occurred as employees were working the overnight shift. Didion Milling employs more than 200 in facilities in Johnson Creek, Cambria and Markesan.
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Wisconsin lawmakers are considering introducing highway tolling in the state as part of the next state budget. The tolls would help pay for road construction and repairs. The state’s business lobby and members of the tourism, hospitality and manufacturing sectors say tolls could deter tourists, increase the cost of transporting goods and limit highway access. The plan would likely require federal approval because under current law states can only begin tolling in limited forms. A study released by the state Department of Transportation in December estimates the plan would take at least four years to implement and could cost as much as $400 million. Lawmakers are also considering a gas tax cut for residents. The deadline for the budget’s passage is July 1.
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Attorneys for a Wisconsin inmate featured in the Netflix series “Making a Murderer” have petitioned for his release now that a federal appeals court has ruled that his confession was coerced. Lawyers for Brendan Dassey filed papers Friday saying Thursday’s decision by a three-judge appeals panel leaves no reason for further delays. Dassey was 16 when he told detectives he helped his uncle, Steven Avery, rape and kill photographer Teresa Halbach in 2005. Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel says the state will take whatever steps are necessary to keep Dassey behind bars. He plans to ask the full Chicago-based 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to review the decision.
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Wisconsin researchers are trying to learn more about an invasive fruit fly that has been threatening berry crops in the state since 2010. University of Wisconsin fruit crop entomologist Christelle Guédot tells Wisconsin Public Radio that researchers started trying to pinpoint when and where the spotted wing drosophila is most active within plants last summer. She says the research could help growers get a better idea of when to spray insecticides. They’re also examining if temperature and humidity play a role in the insects’ distribution. Eric Carlson owns Blue Vista Farm in Bayfield. He says he has to spray his crops every week to control the pests, which has increased his production costs. Results of the study should be available by the end of the year.
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