Month: February 2017

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker is proposing switching to a self-insurance system in 2018. He made the proposal in the state budget he delivered to the Republican-controlled Legislature on Wednesday.  Under a self-insurance system, the state would pay for benefits directly for about 250,000 state workers and family members instead of purchasing insurance from 17 HMOs. The Group Insurance Board oversees the $1.5 billion state employee insurance program. […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker is following through with his promise not to raise gas taxes or vehicle registration fees to pay for roads, while abandoning Milwaukee's Interstate 94 east-west expansion project.  But he's keeping other ongoing highway projects on track that were scheduled by the Department of Transportation to be delayed.  Those are expanding and reconstructing the Highway 151/Verona Road interchange in southwest Madison and reconstructing 11 […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Hunting and fishing fees would not go up under the state budget Gov. Scott Walker is proposing.  But the state Department of Natural Resources would be allowed to raise state park admission and camping fees under the two-year spending proposal.  The budget also approved DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp's plan to reorganize the agency and not break it apart as a Republican lawmaker has proposed.  The reorganization […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state Senate has passed a Republican bill that would limit union influence on bids for public projects.  The bill passed 19-13 on party lines Wednesday.  The measure prohibits state and local governments from requiring contractors bidding on public projects to enter into collective bargaining deals with them called project labor agreements.  The bill's author, Sen. Leah Vukmir, says non-union firms should get the chance to […]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state Senate has overwhelmingly approved a bill that would make it legal to use a marijuana extract to treat seizures.  The measure legalizes possession of cannabidiol oil with a doctor's certification. The chamber adopted the bill on a 31-1 vote Wednesday. Republican Sen. Duey Stroebel was the only senator to vote against it.  Parents of children who suffer from seizures say cannabidiol oil, which doesn't produce […]

The executive director of a pro-marijuana group says he supports a statewide referendum to legalize medical marijuana.  Democratic lawmakers are calling on Republicans to let the public weigh in on whether Wisconsin should join 28 other states that have legalized medical marijuana.   Eric Marsh with Southeastern Wisconsin Norml says that makes sense.  Marsh says opponents of legalizing medical marijuana have falsely asserted that medical marijuana would be a gateway […]

The 2016 Fond du Lac Cost of Living Index remains steady.  Jo Ann Giese-Kent says the latest figures show the cost of living in Fond du Lac County is 96.8 or three point two percent below the national average.  Giese Kent says the highest category in Fond du Lac County is health care and the lowest is housing.  Housing costs in Fond du Lac County have an index of 79.3 […]

The Master Gardener Association, along with UW-Extension Fond du Lac County and several other sponsors are hosting the 19th Annual Day in the Garden at UW-Fond du Lac on March 18, 2017. Please come join other gardeners as you celebrate the coming of Spring. Enjoy a variety of speakers, have lunch, browse vendors and participate in the raffle and silent auction. The Day in the Garden brochure can be viewed […]

One person was injured in a fire that damaged a Waupun home.  Firefighters were called to the scene at 151 Olmstead Street  Tuesday  morning for a report of a structure fire.   Upon arrival, smoke and flames were seen coming out of a first floor window in the area of the kitchen.   Firefighters made entry into the home and quickly knocked down the fire,  containing it to the kitchen […]