January 27, 2012

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Sledding to school

January 27, 2009 By

Some high school students in Dane County's Wisconsin Heights School District have ditched the bus and their cars for a different way to get to and from school — they're riding their snowmobiles. “We have a very organized snowmobile club, and we have a trail that's near the school, and so we're working with the community to make it work,” says Superintendent Mark Elworthy, who offered students the option after studying similar programs in northern Wisconsin.

The school board is looking to create a snowmobile parking area and a snowmobile use policy. Students would be required to park in one area, would not be allowed to carry passengers, and the sleds could only be used to go to and from school, according to Elworthy. Students would also need to pass a safety course and have the permission of their parents.

Filed Under: Human Interest

Donald Driver Charity Softball game returns

January 27, 2009 By

Donald Driver Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver announced the return of the Donald Driver Charity Softball Game to Fox Cities Stadium at a press conference on Monday.

The event will feature Donald Driver and members of the Green Bay Packers in a home run derby followed by the softball game matching the Packers offense against the Packers defense.  Proceeds from the event will benefit the Donald Driver Foundation, whose mission is to help homeless families and address the issues concerning a lack of quality education in some communities.

Individual tickets will go on sale at Fox Cities Stadium on Friday, March 13th at 10am.

Listen / Download – Driver says he learned from last years event. :16

Filed Under: Green Bay Packers

DNR again pushes for deer feeding ban

January 27, 2009 By

The state Department of Natural Resources again wants lawmakers to ban baiting and feeding of deer. That's what they'll ask the Natural Resources Board to do Wednesday as part of the board's request to the legislature.

DNR Big Game Specialist Keith Warnke says the ban is needed because the ecosystem of a forest can been thrown off with interference, including creating an overly large deer herd.

Warnke says baiting and feeding compromises the health of farm animals and pets by potentially spreading diseases such as tuberculosis. The DNR is very concerned that concentrated feeding areas can spread Chronic Wasting Disease among deer. Recently deer infected with the brain disease were discovered on Wisconsin farms, the first incidents since 2005. Warnke calls that "all the more important" reason to have a more pro-active, preventative approach to CWD.

Baiting and feeding deer are already banned in most of Southern Wisconsin where CWD has been found in animals.

Previous attempts at the ban have had no movement in the legislature.

AUDIO: Brian Moon reports (MP3 :68)

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation

Tomahawk mill cited for violations in fatal explosion

January 27, 2009 By

Federal investigators have cited a Tomahawk paper mill for safety violations in the wake of a deadly storage tank explosion last July .

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration alleges Packaging Corporation of America broke the rules by allowing welding near explosive material. Brad Mitchell is a spokesman for the U.S. Labor Department. Mitchell says one citation alleges supervisors didn't consider certain safety risks before allowing the welding to start. “Maintenance supervisors reviewing and authorizing a safe work permit did not include potential buildup of flammable gas in their consideration,” says Mitchell.

OSHA fined PCA more than $22,000 for the violations. Mitchell says the company has until February 8th to pay or appeal. Something caused an internal explosion in the tank that ripped off the lid, killing three men and injuring a fourth. The company declined comment.

AUDIO: Matt Lehman reports (:40 MP3)

Filed Under: Business, Labor

White House as farm house?

January 27, 2009 By

IMAGE: whitehousefarmer.com An effort to raise awareness and promote growth of organic farming wants 5-acres of the White House lawn to be transformed into an organic garden, and a special “White House farmer” appointed to grow it.

The proposal, though it has not been accepted by the Obama administration, has already drawn 40 nominees for the position from across the nation, and Wisconsin is second among all states with 7 contenders. Organic specialist and co-founder of the Cornucopia Institute , Mark Kastel says yeah, it’s a gimmick, but it could do some good. “There’s a lot of good things that could happen,” says Kastel. “It would be a nice demostration project, and an intimate way that Mr. Obama could connect with the farmers out here in the field.”

Kastel adds lawns in general may not be the best idea. “It is really misappropriation of our natural resources, and very bad for the environment,” he says. “Per square foot, there are way more agri-chemicals used on peoples lawns than are ever used on farm crops.”

Nominations and voting for the White House farmer position are open at whitehousefarmer.com until January 31st, at which point the top three vote-getters will be submitted to President Obama. 

AUDIO: John Helgeson reports (:50 MP3)

Filed Under: Agriculture, Environment & Conservation, Top Story
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