News 04.14.17
14 April 2017 News
Two Milwaukee residents convicted in the heroin overdose death of a Fond du lac man are going to prison. At a hearing Tuesday Fond du Lac judge Dale English sentenced Angelique Kannenberg to 10 years in prison and four years of extended supervision. Judge English sentenced Javon Wilson to six years in prison and four years of extended supervision. Wilson and Kannenberg were convicted of first degree reckless homicide in the heroin overdose death of Joshua Wille at a town of Taycheeda residence in July of 2015.
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A Fond du Lac man is convicted of his 11th drunken driving offense. Forty-two-year-old Steven Johnson pleaded no contest Wednesday to criminal charges in Outagamie County. Johnson was arrested New Years’ Day after a traffic crash in downtown Appleton. The preliminary breath test showed a blood alcohol level of .27, more than three times the legal limit for driving. Appleton police say despite 10 previous drunken driving suspensions, revocations or convictions between 2006 and 1990, Johnson had a valid driver’s license at the time. He could be sent to prison for 15 years. Sentencing is June 2.
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Democratic and Republican lawmakers are teaming up on a bill to create a program that would help veterans become farmers and establish a logo to differentiate the state’s veteran-grown products. Democrat Rep. Evan Goyke and Republicans Sen. Patrick Testin and Rep. Ed Brooks announced the bill at a news conference Wednesday. The bill would require the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to work with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies to create a program that helps veterans or their family members become farmers and supports veterans who already work in agriculture. It would also authorize the creation of a logo that veteran producers could use when selling their products. Sen. Janis Ringhand, a Democrat, is also a co-sponsor.
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A state appeals court has blocked plans for a large-scale farm in Wood County after ruling the farm doesn’t have the right to 6,400 acres it wants for crops. Golden Sands Dairy maintains it has agricultural rights to the land because the land was zoned unrestricted when the dairy filed for building permits in 2012 and the applications referenced the land. The Town of Saratoga argues the dairy has no right to the land because it was re-zoned for preservation four months after the applications were filed. A judge sided with Golden Sands in 2015. But the 4th District Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that merely identifying property in a building permit application doesn’t result in use rights. The dairy’s attorney says he’s considering appealing to the state Supreme Court.
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A Madison utility company’s key power plant has been out of service since September and is in need of $25 million in repairs. Alliant Energy Corp.’s Riverside plant outage came to light when the agenda for the state Public Service Commission meeting was released Wednesday. The company says the 13-year-old plant near the town of Beloit isn’t expected to restart until July. The natural gas-fueled facility shut down in September for regular maintenance. Alliant spokesman Scott Reigstad says the generating station wouldn’t restart properly when the utility tried to turn it back on in November. Reigstad says it’s unclear if utility customers will be asked to pick up all or part of the $25 million repair tab. The plant produces enough electricity to power 450,000 homes.
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University of Wisconsin System leaders want to allocate $42.5 million in performance-based funding among campuses themselves rather than use a ranking system Gov. Scott Walker proposed in his two-year budget. UW System President Ray Cross said Thursday at an Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities hearing that system leaders should determine appropriate metrics for the various campuses, which have unique missions. Walker has proposed ranking the campuses on broad measures including graduation rates, job placement and degrees awarded in high-demand fields. University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank echoed Cross’ remarks in a statement Thursday, saying campuses should not be pitted against each other. Republican Committee Chair Rep. Dave Murphy held the informational hearing to discuss performance-based funding in higher education.
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