January 29, 2012

Cops seek 'a couple pieces of garbage' in Kenosha drive-in slaying

Gonzalez, Miller. IMAGE: Kenosha PD Two men described as "persons of interest" are sought by Kenosha police, for the murder of 18 year-old Robby Wilde during a robbery at Shirl's Drive-In Sunday evening, a crime the city's police chief calls "an assualt on the community."

At an emotional news conference, Tammy Wilde said her son was senselessly taken from her family. "I'm asking anybody with an ounce of integrity . . . and compassion to report for the whereabouts of these persons they're looking at," Wilde said. "It is apparent that they have no respect for life."

The men have been identified as 23 year-old Daniel Gonzalez, a Hispanic male with distinct tattoos on his hands and forearms. The other is 28 year-old Julian Jerome Miller, a black male with an extensive criminal record who police say should be considered extremely dangerous. Both men are gang members and are currently being sought on warrants charging them with probation or parole violations. Kenosha Chief of Police John Morrissey said the pair were most recently seen at a restaurant in Ashwabanon, early Wednesday morning. They have also been seen in the Milwaukee area.

Morrissey said Wilde's murder was a needless crime. "A young man lost his life for nothing," said Morrisey. "Please help us bring these guys in. This was an assault on this community. This is more than just killing Robbie Wilde, it's an emotional thing for everybody in the community." Morrissey said his own daughter had been at Shirl's just a couple of nights before Wilde's slaying. "This is just a couple of pieces of garbage that put fear in this community, that need to be taken care of."

"We're going to need help catching these guys," said Robby Wilde's father Mark. "Just be careful, we don't want anybody else killed."

AUDIO: Janet Hoff reports (1:20 MP3)

Worlds largest civilian plane

An airliner that's larger than any other in the world is on display at EAA AirVenture. The Airbus A380 landed at the airport yesterday afternoon, and EAA spokesman Dick Knapinsky says the plane is every bit as big as you could imagine, and more.

He says people will be able to get an in-depth look at the plane over the next few days. He says Airbus officials are letting people take self-guided, walking tours of the inside and outside of the plane. The tours run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and tomorrow, and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, at AeroShell Square.

The Airbus has two decks, and seats 525 people using a typical layout. Upwards of 850 can fit in an all-economy layout.

AUDIO: Dick Knapinsky about Airbus (MP3 :13)

Concerns grow about wolves killing dogs

A central Wisconsin hunter believes the number of wolves in the central forest region is greatly underestimated.

Jason Tibbett was out training bear-hunting dogs just east of Fairchild Sunday. The dogs were performing magnificently, having bayed a bear in less than 10 minutes. That's when his friend's dog, Nelly, a 3-and-a-half year old female walker-red tick hound, was killed.

Tibbett says the dog came running past him with three wolves chasing after it. The owner tried to distract the wolves, but they attacked the dog.

Hunting is a way of life for Tibbett's family. He even takes his two young boys out to the woods with him. Now, with three hunting dogs killed by wolves in the last couple weeks in Clark County, Tibbett has some concerns that the wolf population is being underestimated.

The DNR has a website that shows areas where dog depredations have occurred. They urge those training bear dogs to exercise great caution if those areas.

AUDIO: Paul Knoff reports (MP3 1:05)

Bucks sign first round draft pick

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed their top draft pick, Brandon Jennings to a multi-year contract.  Jennings was the 10th overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft.

Jennings played in the 2009 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas with the Bucks.  He led the entire league in assists (tied, 8.2) and steals (3.6), and was Milwaukee's third-leading scorer (14.6 ppg).  Jennings shot 42.9% from 3-point range in helping the Bucks to a 4-1 record during Summer League play.

Jennings comes to Milwaukee after spending a season with Lottomatica Virtus Roma in Italy.  He averaged 5.5 points, 2.3 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 17 minutes per game in 27 Italian League games last season.

Favre says he'll stay retired!

After months of speculation on Brett Favre's future, the former Packers and Jets quarterback has decided to remain retired from the NFL, instead of taking the starting quarterback job in Minnesota with the Vikings.

Favre told ESPN's Ed Werder said the decision was extremely difficult and indicated that this will be it, he won't likely consider play again in the NFL.

Favre didn't think that his health could be trusted for an entire 16-game season.  That pain wasn't necessarily in his arm or shoulder, but in his knees and ankles. 

Favre had several Vikings players calling and texting him, trying to convince the future Hall of Famer to play with the Vikings.  Instead, Favre will pass on the previously negotiated 1-year, $10-million contract. 

Favre told Werder, “I had to be careful not to commit for the wrong reasons.”  He said, “They were telling me, 'You went through all this, you had the surgery and you've got to finish it off.'  But I havelegitimate reasons for my decision.  I'm 39 with a lot of sacks to my name.”

Favre's decision leaves the Vikings with Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson to compete for the starters job in Minnesota.  That means coach Brad Childress has some damage control to do with both, who were expected to compete for the job before the courting of Favre began.

The Vikings are scheduled to report to training camp on Thursday and start practicing on Friday.