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Hot time on the cool slopes

January 31, 2009 By

New blood involved in the Badger State Winter Games is expected to make it a hot one on the cool slopes next weekend, according to an event spokesperson. The games Snowboarding and Freestyle Skiing events will take place the weekend of February 6th with two new commissioners, Brian and Dana Wilson.

The husband and wife are among only a few Wisconsinites who hold a level two standing in Snowboarding Technical Supervisor Certification, according Jessica Gammey, spokesperson with the events organizer Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation. 

The "superbowl of extreme sports," the X-Games require a level three certification.

Gammey says the Wilsons will bring more edge to the games with a DJ who worked in Los Angeles as well as a prize and product toss.

The events take place at Granite Peak in the Wausau area. Interested participants are encouraged to register online at badgerstategames.org .

AUDIO: Brian Moon reports (MP3 :61)

Filed Under: Recreation & Entertainment

Recovery and reinvestment, or paybacks and pork?

January 31, 2009 By

The governor's plans for oversight of federal stimulus funds are drawing some criticism. Governor Jim Doyle last week named Madison Gas and Electric Chairman, President and CEO Gary Wolter and UW Madison Associate Vice Chancellor Al Fish to head Wisconsin's new Office of Recovery and Reinvestment.

“One of the things that Gary and Al and their team will be very much charged with is making sure that the legislature is well aware of everything that's going on,” Doyle said at a Capitol press conference announcing the new office, which is charged with preparing the state to quickly move federal stimulus money into the state and create jobs

Despite the governor's assurances, state Republican party chair Mark Jefferson has some concerns about oversight. “You've got a situation here where just a couple people, unelected officials, are going to have tremendous influence on how we spend hundreds of millions of dollars. I think that's a problem for anyone concerned about accountability,” said Jefferson, adding that the Office of Recovery and Reinvestment could devolve into the “office of paybacks and pork.”

An effort this week by Republicans in the state Assembly to create a panel of lawmakers to review and approve projects funded by money from a federal stimulus package was sent to the Assembly Rules Committee, where its future is unknown.

AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (1:10 MP3)

Filed Under: Politics & Government, Top Story Tagged With:

Police officer resigns over child porn charges

January 30, 2009 By

An officer with the Hastings Police Department has resigned after being charged with possession of child pornography.

According to the criminal complaint filed in December in St. Croix County, Anthony Miller allegedly admitted to agents from the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation that he downloaded, possessed, and traded or distributed child pornography for nearly two year. The material consisted of images of girls Miller estimated to be between the ages of nine and 15.

DOJ officials say Miller also admitted he used his personal laptop while on duty in Hastings in order to obtain Internet access via unencrypted wireless signal from random locations throughout the area.

Both charges against Miller are felonies and carry a combined maximum sentence of 65 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. They have a combined minimum sentence of eight years in prison and $1,000 fine for each illegal image. 

Filed Under: Crime & Courts

Thinning the herd in Oshkosh

January 30, 2009 By

The city of Oshkosh wants to thin a booming deer herd.

The city is bringing in sharpshooters to help reduce a deer population that officials say is getting too large. Police Sergeant Steve Sagmeister says there are growing worries about safety with deer possibly being forced to cross buys roads while searching for food.

A private firm has been hired and Sagmeister says they have a 100-percent safety rating. Sharpshooters will begin the process on Friday evening in an unpopulated area near the city.

Sagmeister says the city has tried other ways to keep the deer away, but has had little success. He says something needs to be done though, before the herd becomes too large and creates a dangerous situation.

Venison from the shot deer will be donated to local food pantries.

WHBY's Rick Schuh contributed this report.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 1:00)

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation

More evidence of the recession

January 30, 2009 By

One state lawmaker says it's easy to see why corporate tax collections are way down in Wisconsin.

The latest state figures project a 15-percent drop in tax collections over the next two years, which could widen the state budget hole to about $5.7 billion.

Assembly Republican Leader Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon) says it's not hard to guess why, with businesses across the state closing up and jobs leaving Wisconsin.

The Horicon Republican says there's evidence of the problems every day when he drives to Madison. A Home Depot store that opened in Beaver Dam just two years ago is now closed.

AUDIO: John Colbert reports (MP3 :36)

Filed Under: Legislature
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