News 09.14.16
14 September 2016 News
Don’t be alarmed if you notice multiple vehicles, equiptment and large semi tractor/trailer units parked in Green Lake – it’s just a drill. Green Lake County Chief Deputy Mark Putzke says a “major disaster” practice drill began yesterday afternoon around 4pm – involving the State of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Emergency Management and the Wisconsin Task Force on Search and Rescue from Volk Field. Putzke says the drill will remain active until this evening. He says citizens should not be alarmed or concerned as this is nothing more than a training practice session.
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The new owner of Brillion Iron Works is closing the foundry in eastern Wisconsin just days after buying it. More than 300 people will lose their jobs when Metaldyne Performance Group shuts down molding and melt operations in Calumet County later this year. MPG says workers in Brillion will be offered a chance to relocate to other MPG foundries “as opportunities exist.” Brillion Iron Works employs 293 hourly and 49 salaried workers. The Southfield, Michigan company bought the Brillion foundry from Accuride Corporation for $14 million on September 2. MPG President Doug Grimm said in a statement that “a severe downturn in the heavy truck, mining, agriculture and industrial markets is forcing the foundry industry to consolidate production.”
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Oshkosh Police say nine vehicles have been stolen in the city since the beginning of September. Seven of the cars were left unlocked with the keys inside, police say. The other two vehicles were stolen by an acquaintance of the owner. Five of the vehicles have been recovered–two found in Oshkosh; two found in Waushara County; and one found in Milwaukee. A 15-year-old Oshkosh girl has been arrested in connection to the thefts. Oshkosh Police urge people to lock cars and not to leave keys inside.
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A judge appoints a special prosecutor to represent the state of Wisconsin in a request for extensive testing in the case of a man featured in the Netflix series “Making a Murderer.” Court documents show a judge appointed former Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Norman Gahn to replace Manitowoc County District Attorney Jaclyn LaBre in Steven Avery’s homicide case on Sept. 1 after LaBre cited a conflict of interest. Avery contends Manitowoc County officials framed him for Teresa Halbach’s 2005 death. His attorney filed a motion in August requesting extensive forensic testing on evidence. Gahn pioneered DNA use in criminal cases in the 1980s. He garnered attention in the ’90s when he filed charges against DNA profiles. He helped prosecute Avery in Halbach’s death.
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An animal protection group plans to monitor bear hunters in Wisconsin in the first test of the state’s new hunter harassment law. Rod Coronado, the group’s founder, says Wolf Patrol members will document bear hunting activity in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest as the state nears the start of the season for bear hunting with dogs. Coronado says the group’s goal is to help law enforcement and record illegal activity. This year’s bear hunting season is the first under legislation passed last winter that spells out increased protections for hunters, anglers and trappers. Starting Wednesday, hunters are allowed to use dogs to hunt bears. Coronado says the “Right to Hunt Act” impinges on the rights of non-hunting citizens to engage with the public land.
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Some of Wisconsin’s largest farm groups are worried federal regulators will expand restrictions on atrazine, a weed killer sprayed on corn fields and other crops. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a draft ecological risk assessment of atrazine this summer and recommended reducing the allowable levels. Farm groups have asked farmers to contact the EPA and urge the agency to reconsider its stance. Wisconsin Corn Growers Association officials say the reduced allowable levels would effectively ban the use of the weed killer in nearly 100 herbicide mixes. Other groups urging the agency to rethink the restrictions include the Cooperative Network, Wisconsin Pork Association, Midwest Food Processors, the Dairy Business Association, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and the Wisconsin Soybean Association.
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Gov. Scott Walker says he’ll keep borrowing for road projects low in the next state budget. The state faces a $940 million shortfall to pay for road projects already approved. Walker has directed his Department of Transportation to deliver a budget that identifies cost savings, prioritizes needs and doesn’t raise taxes and fees, a move that will delay expansion work and upkeep on all but the state’s most-traveled roads. The agency is due to give its 2017-19 budget request to Walker on Thursday. The governor issued a news release Tuesday promising to keep transportation borrowing low in the next budget. He did not elaborate. Walker proposed borrowing $1.3 billion for roads in the 2015-17 budget. Legislators walked that back to $850 million.
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