News 05.23.17
23 May 2017 News
A bench and flower garden in memory of a rookie Wisconsin state trooper fatally shot by a bank robbery suspect in 2015 is dedicated at the spot where he died. More than 300 people gathered Saturday near the site in Fond du Lac to honor Trevor Casper. The 21-year-old trooper was on his first solo patrol when he was ambushed. Before collapsing, Casper returned fire, killing the suspect. The suspect had robbed a Wausaukee bank and later killed a man. Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney called Casper his hero and said the trooper “helped more people than anyone will ever know” in 17 seconds. Casper’s parents, sisters and other family members were at the gathering.
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University of Wisconsin System officials confirm the state is considering a settlement with the creditors of financially-troubled UW-Oshkosh Foundation. The private foundation doesn’t have enough cash to cover $14.5 million in debt. Regent Michael Grebe says a potential agreement would protect UW System assets if the foundation can’t pay back its loans. Sen. Steve Nass says use of taxpayer money would amount to a bailout of the foundation’s debts. The Department of Justice is negotiating the settlement on behalf of the UW System and Board of Regents. A UW spokeswoman says a settlement with the foundation would not affect the system’s lawsuit against former top officials at UW-Oshkosh which alleges they illegally transferred $11 million from the campus to the foundation.
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Investigators plan to review security camera footage and police body camera video of a fatal encounter at a bar in downtown Appleton. Police Chief Todd Thomas says Lt. Jay Steinke shot and killed a gunman in what he describes as an “extremely dynamic and chaotic situation” at Jack’s Apple Pub early Sunday. Thomas says the gunman fired at least once inside the bar and a second man wrestled with him as others fled. The chief says Steinke went in and saw the man with the gun, then fired. The man died at a hospital. Two men inside the bar were also taken to the hospital, one with a gunshot wound to his arm and the second with a shoulder injury not from gunfire. Thomas says a gun was recovered. Green Bay police are investigating.
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The Barron County Sheriff’s Department releases initial damage estimates from a tornado that tore through the Chetek area of northwestern Wisconsin last week. The department says the storm damaged 231 homes and four commercial properties across the county, though those numbers are likely to change. The storm caused about $10 million in damages, not including damage to trees. That includes $5 million to personal property and the rest to commercial property. One man was killed and about two dozen others were injured when the twister struck Tuesday evening. The Chetek Chamber of Commerce says it’ll continue providing services as long as they have volunteers and a need. It is looking for people to do physical labor such as raking and excavating, food preparation and delivery, office work and other tasks.
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Gov. Scott Walker is continuing to put pressure on fellow Republicans in the Legislature not to raise taxes. Walker promised to veto the entire budget if it results in a net property tax increase to homeowners. And on Monday he fired off a series of tweets defending his budget as the GOP-controlled Legislature continues working on making changes to it. Walker tweeted, “Republicans did not run on a gas tax increase — so they should not pass one in this budget.” Raising gas taxes is being looked at by some Republican legislative leaders as part of a way to pay for roads in the state. Walker also tweeted that Republicans who ran on the promise of lowering taxes “need to keep that pledge.”
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While the Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey Circus has performed its final show, Circus World in Wisconsin has opened for the summer season with a bigger tent and a Ringling reunion. The Baraboo museum opened Friday. This year’s circus show is named “That 70s Circus,” paying homage to the traditional American circus along with 1970s tunes and clothing. Circus World ringmaster Dave SaLoutos says he was pleased with how the performances unfolded despite transportation issues delaying the tent’s arrival last week. Two new acts feature Big Apple Circus veteran Jenny Vidbel and her troupe of performing horses, ponies, canines and mini pig, Velma. Another new performance features the “Wacky, One-Wheeled Wonder” Wesley Williams riding a 25-foot unicycle around the big top’s performance ring.
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