A state lawmaker wants stricter oversight of state contracts. Cost overruns and suspended contracts with private vendors have led a legislator to conclude that there needs to be more oversight and accountability, when it comes to the use of outside contractors for state projects. “We really don’t know how many contractors and consultants are working for state government, and how much it’s costing us,” says state Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point). [Read more...]
Sturgeon spearing opens this weekend
February 12, 2010 By
Speared sturgeon IMAGE: Bill Scott
Lake Winnebago will be full of spearfishers Saturday, hoping to see a sturgeon swim under their hole. DNR Sturgeon Coordinator Ron Bruch says it should be a good year on the ice. “Conditions are actually not too bad,” says Bruch. He says there are some cloudy areas in the lake, but much of it is clear down to the bottom. He says sunny conditions will help: “we’re looking forward to a good opening day.” [Read more...]
WHEDA to resume loan programs
February 12, 2010 By
A state program designed to help first-time home buyers says it’s ready to begin lending again.
After nearly 18 months of not issuing new financing for low and moderate income buyers, WHEDA officials say they will start offering loans again on March First. Executive Director Antonio Riley says the loans will be available through a partnership with Fannie Mae, and Wisconsin will be the first state to offering the program. [Read more...]
Middle school dealing with overdose death
February 12, 2010 By
Staff members at a southern Wisconsin middle school are still reeling from the effects of an overdose death of a student this week. Edgerton Middle School Principal Jerry Roth says they are working to track rumors involving 13-year-old Alex Aiken who was found dead by his mother of a reported oxycontin overdose Tuesday morning. A friend of Aiken, also 13, was hospitalized for an apparent overdose that morning as well.
Using court fees to fund prosecutor positions
February 12, 2010 By
Kenosha County District Attorney Robert Zapf has come up with a plan to fund the shortages of prosecutors around the state. By adding a $15-to-20 fee to civil forfeiture convictions it could generate up to $2 million in revenue, according to Assistant D.A. Dick Ginkowski. He says the idea is not a far stretch as civil forfeitures, which are non-criminal like traffic offenses, already have other fees tacked on. Ginkowski admits the end goal is to find a long term funding solution without raising taxes, but this assessment would allow offenders to “share the cost.”
