February 12, 2012

Defense Secretary thanks Oshkosh workers

After receiving a number of large military contracts, the Oshkosh Corporation welcomed a high profile visitor Thursday.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates stopped by the Oshkosh facility to see new armored vehicles being built, and to thank employees for their hard work. [Read more...]

Wind Lake man accused of terrorizing family

A man who served time in federal prison for being the so-called “Saint George Bomber” in Utah is now facing 13 charges for allegedly abusing his wife and three children.

41-year-old Sean Riker was arrested at his Wind Lake home this week, after his family went the Sheriff’s Department saying they could no longer handle his abuse. Taylor Riker said the abuse had escalated since the job transfer that force the family to move to Wisconsin earlier this month. [Read more...]

Commanding officer of 467th witnessed terror, heroism

Moving forward. That’s what the commander of the Madison based 467th Medical Detachment of the Wisconsin National Guard says they’re doing as in the week since the rampage at Fort Hood. Major Laura Suttinger, who lives in Fort Atkinson with her husband and son, witnessed the hail of gunfire which killed three members of her unit. It’s something she can’t give details about, for legal and emotional reasons.

AUDIO: Major Laura Suttinger (1:40 MP3)

“I was at the site where the shooter was,” Suttinger told WIBA. “I’m not sure if I can talk about what I saw. I don’t care to talk about what I saw, but I saw a tremendous amount of terror, simultaneous with heroism.” In addition to Wisconsin soldiers Amy Krueger and Russ Seager, a third member of the 467th from Virginia was killed. “We’ll keep marching forward, united and strong,” said Suttinger. “United and Strong is our motto, it has been from the get-go. Little did we know how important that was going to be to us . . . but we are taking it to heart in honor of those who will not be going with us.”

The 467th remains on active duty, and is set to go to Afghanistan later this month. “Another step forward,” said Suttinger. “Another step towards our goal of fulfilling our mission. The essence of what we do is help others overcome the pressures and the tragedies of combat, and here we are in that same situation ourselves.”

WIBA’s Robin Colbert submitted this report

Complaint against Gableman is dismissed

A three-judge panel recommends the state Supreme Court dismiss a complaint which accuses Justice Michael Gableman of false statements in a campaign ad. The complaint dealt with an ad the Gablemman campaign ran, targeting then Justice Louis Butler during their 2008 campaign. The panel heard arguments in the case last month.

The ad focused on Butler’s time as a public defender, when he represented a convicted rapist. An attorney for the Wisconsin Judicial Commission argued the ad implied Butler used a loophole to get Reuben Lee Mitchell out of jail, allowing him to rape again. While Butler did win a new trial for Mitchell, the decision was eventually overturned by the state Supreme Court and he served his sentence, committing another rape after his release. Gableman’s attorney argued the ad did not state a connection between Butler and the second rape.

Gableman’s fellow Justices on the state Supreme Court will have final say over whether he will face any discipline over the campaign ad.

Jennings leads Bucks into 1st place

Rookie point guard Brandon Jennings poured in 32 points, 14 of which came in the fourth quarter, to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 108-102 win over the Denver Nuggets at the Bradley Center.  Andrew Bogut added 23 points and 10 rebounds in the win.

AUDIO: Coach Scott Skiles on the win :16

It’s a small sample size, but the Bucks, who were supposed to be one of the NBA’s worst teams, are off to a 4-2 start and lead the NBA’s Central Division. [Read more...]