Blood donations to the Red Cross typically drop off this time of year, but the need stays the same. Sarah Stevermer with the Badger Chapter of the American Red Cross says donations have been down recently, whether because of the flu season, or the economy. And this time of year, donations typically drop off. “Over the holidays, there’s a lot of people traveling, and right now we’re being confronted with the cold and flu season so people aren’t feeling well,” notes Stevemer. “There’s less people donating blood, yet the amount of blood we need every day doesn’t change. To find out where you can donate, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE, or check the web.
Starting the shopping season early
November 23, 2009 By
Promoting early holiday shopping is one way retailers are trying to adapt to the down economy, according to an expert at the Wisconsin School of Business. “This week there are many, many firms both online and in the brick and mortar stores saying ‘come on out.” says Deborah Mitchell, Executive Fellow, Center for Brand and Product Management at UW-Madison. Many of these promotions would traditionally begin the day after Thanksgiving.
Mitchell says companies are even using the term “black friday” with their customers which was traditionally a term among industry insiders meaning for the heaviest day of sales allowing a company to get into-the-black, from-the-red.
Mom-and-pop stores in Wisconsin have added challenges, according to Mitchell, such as the minimum mark up law, which requires companies to hike their prices a certain percentage above wholesale. However she says the “conscious consumption” of buying local, along with goods, service and relationships not seen with big box stores could give Wisconsin retailers an advantage.
Bill targets religious exemption in abuse statutes
November 23, 2009 By
An end to faith healing? Legislation is proposed which would close a religious exemption clause in the state’s child abuse statutes. In the wake of the prosecution and conviction of a Marathon County couple whose diabetic daughter died after they prayed over her rather than seeking medical treatment, legislation is proposed which would close a religious exemption clause in the state’s child abuse statutes.
State Representative Terese Berceau (D-Madison) says the decision to charge Dale and Leilani Neumann with reckless homicide in daughter Kara’s death does not represent a solution to the issue. “We couldn’t save her while she was alive, and doctors are saying that she could have been saved one hour before she died, if they had known the condition she was in,” said Berceau. “So, when people say ‘well it works because we can prosecute them,’ yes, but after the child is dead.” Berceau said child advocates are supporting her measure (AB-590) over one from state Senator Lena Taylor (SB-384). “I did work with all these groups to get their opinion, and basically they just said, bottom line, just delete that portion of the statute that gives people this religious defense. I would say, look at the supporters of my bill, versus the supporters of Senator Taylor’s.” [Read more...]
Body found by hunters believed to be homicide victim
November 23, 2009 By
Manitowoc County law enforcement officials say the death of a 50-year-old Green Bay area woman is continuing and is being treated as a homicide. Sheriff Robert Hermann said a group of hunters located the subject in a wooded area near the end of Chupita road in the town of Cooperstown early Saturday morning.
Hermann said it was believed the victim had been at th location in Northwestern Manitowoc County for “less than 24 hours.” Investigator were in the process of conducting search warrants and have located a possible suspect. Chief Deputy Coroner Jeffrey Schroeder said an autopsy is planned for today and indicated no further information will be released at this time, pending results of the autopsy.
The Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Department is being assisted in the investigation by the coroner’s office, Brown County Sheriff’s department, Ashwaubenon Public Safety and Wisconsin State Crime Lab.
Contributed by Damon Ryan-WOMT
