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Alleged jailhouse confession nets charges

January 28, 2009 By

A Plover man recharged in the highway shooting death of a truck driver five years ago has made his initial court appearance.

Michael Haydon claims he's being framed in the November 2003 death of Kolbe and Kolbe truck driver Pat Zemke. Zemke was shot to death as he slept in his truck on Interstate 39. Hayden's attorney, Len Kachinsky, says his client makes a good point. "Mike was extremely surprised, shocked . . . that this was being recharged, as it was dropped just a couple of weeks before the scheduled trial."

Prosecutors refiled the charges earlier this month after three jail inmates said Haydon confessed to the crime. "Jailhouse snitches have a reputation for not being terribly reliable," says Kachinsky. "I guess we'll see."

Portage County prosecutor Veronica Isherwood believes Haydon killed Zemke in a case of mistaken identity, and says she'll present more of her case during a preliminary hearing March 3rd. Haydon is serving a 25-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting an ex-girlfriend. A judge set a $100,000 cash bond and ordered Haydon have no contact with any witnesses in the murder case.

AUDIO: Matt Lehman reports (:40 MP3)

Filed Under: Crime & Courts

Republicans push for stimulus oversight

January 28, 2009 By

Assembly Republicans are calling for the creation of a special Legislative committee to help approve how any federal stimulus dollars are spent.

The resolution introduced on the Assembly floor Tuesday would create a panel of lawmakers to review and approve projects funded by money from a federal stimulus package. State Representative Phil Montgomery (R-Green Bay) says the panel is needed to protect taxpayers and allow lawmakers to have a say in how a potential $3 billion will be spent.

During debate in the Assembly, state Representative Mark Pocan (D-Madison) said there will already be plenty of oversight for the process, and the proposal is just an effort to add another layer of bureaucracy. Pocan says it "just smells of people trying to cause problems."

Republican state Representative Mark Gottlieb (R-Port Washington) says the proposal is not about raising objections to the stimulus program or creating roadblocks. He says it's just about making sure the Legislature is a part of the process and the money is spent efficiently and effectively.

The measure was sent to the Assembly Rules Committee, where its future is unknown.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 1:01)

Filed Under: Legislature, Top Story

Abortion opponents deliver 20,000 petitions

January 28, 2009 By

A coalition of pro-life organizations and individuals oppose a controversial late-term abortion plan.

Over 20,000 petitions are delivered to Meriter Hospital showing their adamant opposition to a proposal by Meriter, UW Hospital, and UW Medical Foundation to provide second-trimester abortions at Madison Surgery Center. 

Barbara Lyons is Executive Director of Wisconsin Right to Life.

"Medical professionals and boards here in Madison have clearly lost their way when they propose healing some individuals and destroying the lives of others right in the same facility."

Dr. Michael Phillips signed a petition against the plan to allow midterm abortions on preborn babies up to their 22nd week.

"Physicians and hospitals have always been dedicated to healing the sick and saving lives. Pregnancy is not a disease and abortion is not healthcare."

Julaine Appling, CEO of Wisconsin Family Council, says the coalition of pro-lifers are determined to send a clear message indicating their disapproval of a plan that would kill innocent, pre-born babies.

"Such a plan will not happen on our watch without serious pushback and opposition against those groups who have secretly plotted against our unborn babies and against their sometimes unwitting mothers."

UW Hospital spokeswoman Lisa Brunette says they respect the opinions of those who oppose the plan.

The UW Hospital board plans to discuss the arrangement on Feb. 4.

AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report (1:36 MP3)

Filed Under: Health & Medicine

Another push for domestic partner benefits

January 28, 2009 By

Governor Jim Doyle delivers his State of the State address tonight, and one of the topics he may discuss is establishing a domestic partner benefits system for state employees.

The Governor says, if Wisconsin wants to remain competitive, the Legislature needs to approve a system for domestic partner benefits. Doyle says that's especially true when it comes to the UW System, where the state is often competing to attract top talent to do their research here.

Doyle says it's the right thing to do and competitively important.

AUDIO: Governor Jim Doyle (MP3 :17)

Filed Under: Politics & Government

Are you betting on the big game?

January 28, 2009 By

There's a lot of wagering going on this week, in advance of Sunday's Super Bowl.

For most, it's not a big deal, says Rose Gruber of the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling. She says many people play in office or bar pools, and most realize the chance of winning something is low and only use money that's set aside for entertainment.

However, Gruber says, for the five to seven percent of the population who are prone to gambling addictions, Super Bowl week can be a major challenge. She says January is the busiest month for the Council's hotline, and the big game is probably the reason.

AUDIO: John Colbert reports (MP3 :34)

Filed Under: Miscellaneous
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