Wisconsin News and Sports
A lot of it is common sense, says Tod Pritchard with Wisconsin Emergency Management. Keep flammable objects, like food wrappers and pot holders, away from heated surfaces; roll up your sleeves; avoid dangling scarves or jewelry; turn pot and pan handles inward so kids can’t grab them.
From 2006 to 2008, the estimated 4,300 Thanksgiving Day fires nationwide caused 10 deaths, 50 injuries, and $30 million in property loss, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. [Read more...]
Nearly two dozen horses, some of which may have been valued at millions of dollars, were killed in a Rock County fire. Foootville Fire Chief Joe North said firefighters could do little to save most of the horses trapped in a burning pole barn at 927 Old Highway 11 Wednesday morning. He said the 80 by 120 foot pole barn was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, and 22 horses perished while trapped in their stalls. Only three survived. North said several of the horses may have been thoroughbreds worth millions.
Beth Wheelock, WCLO
Clough Island PHOTO: Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy has purchased an island that provides key habitat adjacent to Lake Superior. It’s the landmark Clough Island, located at the heart of the St. Louis River Estuary near Superior. “We’re just so thrilled to finally get this island,” said Rebecca Smith is deputy director for the Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin. “We’ve been working on it for over ten years.” [Read more...]
A lawsuit between Dane County and the family of a slain UW-Madison student has been settled. Under the agreement, Dane County will contribute $5,000 to the Brittany Zimmermann reward fund and $2,5000 to the family’s attorney.
The settlement comes after the Zimmermann family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Dane County, the county executive, and a former 911 operator. The 21-year-old victim apparently used her cell phone to call for help around the time of her murder in 2008, but was disconnected during the call. When authorities were called to her apartment later, she was found stabbed and strangled to death. [Read more...]
Expect a lot of company on the roads and in airports over the Thanksgiving holiday. Over 42 million Americans, including 860,000 Wisconsinites, are expected to travel over the next few days.
Pam Moen with AAA-Wisconsin says it’s a pretty significant increase over 2009, with about 11-percent more Americans saying they plan to travel this year. Moen says it’s largely due to improving economic conditions. [Read more...]
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