Month: October 2014

MADISON, Wis. (AP)  €” A newly hired attorney representing the state elections board and Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm wants more time to respond to a lawsuit challenging the state's law limiting coordination between third-party groups and political candidates.  The conservative group Citizens for Responsible Government Advocates on Oct. 7 asked U.S. District Judge Rudolph Randa to immediately order that the state stop enforcing the law.  The law is […]

A local resident reported an unusual sight at Spencer Lake in Waupaca County last week – freshwater jellyfish (Craspedacusta sowerbyi). Paul Skawinski, Regional Aquatic Invasive Species Education Specialist for Golden Sands Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc. in Stevens Point visited the lake and confirmed the report.  These strange creatures originate from China, and were first observed in Wisconsin in the late 1960s. They are thought to have arrived by […]

The president of the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation says its unfortunate that some members of the community have been spreading unfounded rumors about Commonwealth Development on social media.   Many of the Facebook posts have alleged that Commonwealth has been advertising its low income housing units in Fond du lac on billboards in Milwaukee and Chicago promising free cell phones and low rent.  FCEDC president Steve Jenkins says […]

A Beaver Dam man convicted of child sexual assault and child pornography charges is going to prison.   28 year old Jason Neitzel was sentenced to 15 years of initial confinement and 40 years of extended supervision in Dodge County Circuit Court. In July, he pleaded no contest to one count each of first degree sexual assault of a child, possession of child pornography, and child sexploitation. Nine other possession […]

A Fond du lac judge has dismissed charges against an Oakfield woman accused of stealing her father’s car and other items.  Jeanna Watts was in Fond du lac County Circuit Court Friday for a preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to be bound over for trial.  A Fond du Lac County sheriff’s deputy testified that Watt’s father reported the stolen items and said he thought his daughter […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin taxpayers have paid about $139 million to private schools that ended up being barred from the state's voucher system for failing to meet requirements since 2004.  State Department of Public Instruction data shows more than two-thirds of the 50 schools terminated from the state's voucher system in the last 10 years had stayed open for five years or less.  The data highlight the challenges the […]

MANITOWOC, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin officials say they are paying about 14 percent more for road salt this year. The higher prices were driven by an increased demand due to last year's record snowfall and chilly temperatures. Although Wisconsin has secured salt for all 72 of its counties, other states haven't been so fortunate. Some counties in Ohio have received bids of more than $100 per ton.

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP) — Recent state and national data shows Wisconsin teachers on average earn less than their peers nationwide while the state generally pays administrators more.  The median district administrator and principal salaries at two-thirds of Wisconsin school districts are $8,000 to $10,000 above the national median. Studies conducted by the National Education Association and the U.S. Department of Education found Wisconsin teachers make about $1,000 to $2,000 less […]