February 12, 2012

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Slain mothers, daughters indentified

December 5, 2009 By

While a nationwide manhunt continues for the suspect in the deaths of two women and their young daughters, the Dane County Coroner’s Office has released the names of the victims, whose bodies were discovered in Madison and neighboring Middleton on Thursday.

Found on Park Edge Drive in Madison were 25 year-old Amber M. Weigel and her two year-old daughter, Neveah Weigel – Adair. According to a news release from Coroner Raymond Wosepka, the mother and daughter had been shot. Police reports indicated that they were found in the garage of Amber Weigel’s residence.

Found in Middleton on Branch Street were 33 year-old Tracy L. Graser and her daughter, Deja Adair, who would have turned two years old on Christmas. Wosepka said they were not victims of gunfire. Police reports indicated they were found in the trunk of a car which may have been driven from another location. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Crime & Courts

Time to speed up regional transit legislation

December 5, 2009 By

Hundreds are gathering in West Allis today to speed up Regional Transit Authority legislation. Kurt Zunker, President of AFSCME Local 882, says the rally commemorates a November 2008 referendum in which Milwaukee County residents voted for establishment of an RTA and a funding mechanism of a half-cent sales tax hike.

Governor Doyle vetoed a part of the state budget that would’ve established a Milwaukee County Transit Authority, in favor of a regional approach to include Kenosha and Racine Counties. Lately Doyle has been spearheading a new proposal involving establishment of an interim RTA for Milwaukee County that neighboring counties could get involved with.

Zunker, who represents airport and fleet workers, says a sales tax increase would allow visitors to contribute to transportation funding.

“This is fair because now you have people from lllinois that come up and enjoy our infrastructure, now they’re paying part of it.” says Zunker, who notes Wisconsinites have to pay for use of Illinois toll roads.

Currently transit in Milwaukee is paid for by property taxes, joining Detroit as the only two major cities in the US still utilizing this source of funding.

Transit supporters say it makes a region more attractive to outside investment and spurs economic growth. Opponents, especially of rail, note high costs to build and maintain systems.

Brian Moon reports (:64)

Brian Moon

Filed Under: Legislature, Transportation

Bittersweet day for Lodi soldier

December 5, 2009 By

A bittersweet deployment for one Wisconsin soldier. It’s been nearly a month since the Fort Hood shootings which claimed five lives from a Madison based unit. On Friday, the 467th Medical Detachment left for Afghanistan. Army Sergeant Grant Moxon of Lodi, was supposed to be with them, but was injured in the November 5th rampage. “I’m sure it’s going to take quite awhile for everybody to recover fully from this,” said Moxson, confident in the abilities of his comrades in the 467th. “They got right back into the swing of things. They didn’t miss a beat.” Moxon came face to face with suspect Nidal Hassan, and was shot in the leg. The bullet is still there, and will be, indefinitely. He’s now recovering at home.

WIBA’s Chandra Lynn (:40) AUDIO: Chandra Lynn reports (:40 MP3)

Filed Under: Human Interest, Military

Sixteen day hunt not looking too sweet

December 5, 2009 By

Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank wants the Natural Resources Board to pull consideration of a 16-day seer season proposal off its December agenda.

Frank says that will give the agency more time to review of the results of the 2009 season, which saw hunters bag the fewest deer in more than 25 years. In a letter to the seven member board, Frank says a full analysis of the 2009 harvest data will provide for better understanding of the size of the deer population, and for making decisions for the 2010 hunt and future seasons. The harvest this year totaled about 195,000 deer, down 8o,000 from last year, a gap which the DNR attributed almost entirely to fewer does being shot. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation, Politics & Government