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H1N1 at UW

September 10, 2009 By

There are hundreds of potential swine flu cases on the UW-Madison campus. UW-Madison officials confirm the H1N1 flu virus is on campus. Yet they stress no one has been hospitalized. Student Stephanie Coleman was diagnosed with H1N1 in the spring and was told she has it again.

“It’s more like a cold,” Miller says of the virus. “But you get it all at once, instead of gradually getting it. It just all hits you at one time, so you’re kind of just ‘dead’ in your bed, just miserable.”

UW officials say well over 200 students have been in and tested for the virus, with many cases confirmed. On the Madison Area Technical College campus, three students are confirmed to have H1N1 as well. They’re currently working from home.

 Submitted by Chandra Lynn, WIBA

AUDIO: Chandra Lynn reports (:30 MP3)

Filed Under: Uncategorized

No sign of missing Polk County woman

September 10, 2009 By

It has been nearly 3 weeks since a 21-year old St. Croix Falls woman was reported missing from her rural Polk County home. Sheriff Tim Moore says there are still no signs of the Rose Marie Bly.

“She disappeared on August 21st, a little after 7:00 p.m., and we have not heard from her,” says Moore. Bly’s car was found several days later in a parking lot in Grantsburg. Moore says his department has no leads to go on, despite several calls from people who beleive they’ve seen Bly, none of which have panned out so far. “We’ve had ‘em (reported sightings) from Superior to Chippewa Falls to St. Croix County” says Moore, adding that security camera video has been reviewed from all those locations.

Bly has two children under the age of 18 months who were left home with her husband. “She’s gone and the kids are left behind. So far it’s been very baffling,” Moore says. Anyone with information is asked to call the Polk County Sheriff’s office at 715-485-8300.

Submitted by Kurt Mayer, WXCE

Filed Under: Human Interest, Miscellaneous

Does public health option need first aid?

September 10, 2009 By

Some are saying President Obama is wavering on his commitment to a public health insurance option. Earlier in the year Obama claimed health care reform must include the government insurance alternative but analysts say in the President’s address to Congress he backed off such a firm stance.

Bobby Peterson, Director of the Madison public interest law firm ABC for Health, believes there may be compromise going on in the administration but he believes it’s still part of Obama’s plan. Peterson says the President has provided the “opportunity” for a public option and “triggers” in case private insurance fails.

In his speech to lawmakers, Obama mentioned the possibility of providing affordable government provided insurance in regions where private coverage costs too much.

The proposal has triggered emotional opposition by some but Peterson adds public option already exists with Medicare and Medicaid.

Whether public option would pass lawmakers is the question. Although House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she would only sign a bill containing the provision, many Republicans and moderate Democrats have been opposed to the plan.

Critics say too many Americans would switch to the lower cost government alternative causing private insurers to go under.

AUDIO: Brian Moon reports (MP3 :60)

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, Politics & Government

Dems outline foreclosure prevention recommendations

September 10, 2009 By

Rep. Tom Nelson, Speaker Mike SheridanThe Speaker’s Taskforce On Preventing Home Foreclosures – or STOP – has a set of recommendations. Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan convened the panel of lawmakers, lenders and consumer advocates to address the growing foreclosure crisis in Wisconsin. “One of the things I heard early on by talking to my friends from the banking industry is, you know, they don’t want to foreclose on these homes, they want people to stay in their homes,” Sheridan said. “They’re looking just as diligently as we are to try to find solutions to that. It does them no good to get a bunch of houses.”

“I can tell you the members varied viewpoints and areas of expertise have led to sensible, centered ideas that clearly address problems relating . . . to foreclosures in Wisconsin,” said Sheridan. “I’m pleased with the recommendations they have made.” Taskforce member Dan Imhoff is Vice President and Residential Lending Manager for the State Bank of Cross Plains. “Our efforts will not end here, as a group we are looking at continuing our meetings,” said Imhoff. “We do feel this is work in progress.”

“The economy, job loss, layoffs, medical expenses and divorce, all play a big role why people go into foreclosures,” said task force chairman, Representative Leon Young of Milwaukee. “In Milwaukee, a big issue was predatory lending and sub-prime loans.” Young said members agreed on four legislative recommendations, including education about mortgages and foreclosures, licensing of appraisers, requiring that county clerks of court notify municipal clerks of abandoned homes, and requiring mortgage brokers to put a client’s financial interests above their own.

“We all know someone who’s been impacted by this crisis, and the crisis has impacted all of us, because it weakens our economy,” said Sheridan. “Wisconsin stands to lose five billion dollars in revenue if the trend continues.” Rep. Young said foreclosures in the state could reach 25,000 or more this year

AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (:45 MP3)

Filed Under: Economy, Politics & Government

Store owner fights off robbers

September 10, 2009 By

A pawn shop owner in Kenosha stopped an armed robbery by shooting one of the suspects. The robbery attempt at the Jewelry Exchange occurred along one of Kenosha’s busiest streets in broad daylight Wednesday. Kenosha Police Chief John Morrisey says the two masked men ran from the business, the one with a large caliber bullet wound to his chest is believed to have committed crimes in Lake County, Illinois.

AUDIO: Chief Morrisey (MP3 :15)

At last word, the wounded suspect was listed in critical but stable condition. The other offender drove off in a green van and store surveillance video is being used to make ID’s.

Morrisey says a recent violent custard stand robbery, plus a general increase in violent crime likely has more business owners arming themselves.

On July 26th a hold up at Shirl’s Drive In resulted in an 18-year-old employee being killed and the store manager injured by gun fire.

The Kenosha County District Attorney’s office will determine if the pawn shop owner was justified in using his gun.

Contributed by Janet Hoff-WRJN

Filed Under: Crime & Courts
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