May 22, 2012

A Halloween warning for sex offenders

The state Department of Corrections is putting most of the state’s sex offenders on notice. The agency has issued a prohibition on any registered sex offender currently on probation or under supervision from taking part in Halloween activities in their communities.

DOC Director of Sex Offender Programs Lance Wiersma says those restriction include handing out candy, decorating their residence, or even dressing up in costume.

Wiersma says agents and local police will be checking up on them with random stops. Violators could face sanctions, including jail time. The restrictions do not apply to individuals on the sex offender registry who have completed their sentence.

Wiersma says residents living near sex offenders should educate their children about avoiding those homes and also teach them to practice safe trick-or-treating. He says those tips should include going door-to-door in groups, only stopping at homes they know, and traveling with an adult.

Residents can report suspected violations to local police or by calling the DOC at 1-877-234-0085.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:08)

Most state buildings will allow concealed carry

The Department of Administration has released its rules for concealed carry in state buildings. The policy announced Friday indicates permit holders will be allowed to carry hidden weapons in most state facilities, including the Capitol building.

Deputy Secretary Chris Schoenherr says most areas of the Capitol under DOA control will be open to permit holders. However, the law places restrictions on concealed carry in courtrooms and police stations, so it will not be permitted in the state Supreme Court Chambers or the Capitol Police station.

Each chamber of the Legislature will also pass its own rules, with the Assembly planning to allow permit holders to carry in all areas and the Senate expected to only ban them from its public viewing gallery. Each lawmaker will be able to decide whether to allow concealed weapons in their offices.

For other state facilities, Schoenherr says concealed carry will be widely allowed. Exceptions to that policy will be in offices used by the Department of Health Services to provide services to the mentally ill, areas where combustible materials are stored, and facilities used by the Department of Corrections and State Public Defender to provide services to those with criminal histories.

Schoenherr says signs will be posted at the entrances to buildings or areas inside of them where concealed weapons are prohibited.

State employees who obtain a permit will also be able to carry concealed while on the job. Schoenherr says the one exception that will be if the agency they work for determines carrying a weapon interferes with their job duties.

The Department of Administration plans to post a listing online of buildings with concealed carry restrictions by the time the law takes effect November first. State residents can begin applying for concealed carry permits next Tuesday.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:07)

Bill allows schools to discriminate against felons

Schools can fire or refuse to hire convicted felons, under legislation passed by the state senate Thursday. Democrats argue convicted felons would be prevented from getting jobs after having served their sentences.

Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) points to the high rate of recidivism in Wisconsin’s criminal justice system, saying this bill would not help reintegrate felons back into the community upon release from prison. “Individuals who are re-entering do not have access to housing and jobs and thus cycle back into previous behavior.”

Taylor talks about restorative justice, suggesting this legislation does nothing to help prevent a felon’s repeat behavior. “How does this help to get those individuals who re-enter back in society and connected to jobs? How does it do it? Where are the jobs?”

Currently, it is not employment discrimination to fire or refuse to hire a criminal if their offense substantially relates to the circumstances of the particular job. Under new legislation, the felon’s crime doesn’t have to be relevant to the circumstances of the job.

Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) says it’s not mandatory; it’s voluntary. “We do not want individuals with felony records to be discriminated against. We are saying we want the employer to have the right to look at the total record and use their best judgment.”

The bill goes to the Assembly.

AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 1:34

St. Norbert Hockey to raise championship banner

The top ranked Division 3 hockey team, St. Norbert College, opens NCHA play this weekend.  The Green Knights are at UW-Stevens Point tonight for the first of two games this weekend. 

The two teams return to Green Bay for the rematch on Saturday night as the Green Knights will celebrate their most recent NCAA Division 3 National Hockey Title by raising the Championship Banner to the rafters. 

St. Norbert leads the series with UW-Stevens Point by a 38-18-5 margin.  St. Norbert is 38-10-2 in the last 50 games against the Pointers after opening the series 0-8-3. 

The Knights open the season 1-0, blanking Concordia 8-0 on Oct. 25th.  The Pointers are 0-1, after dropping their season opener last Friday, 5-4 to Marian College.

Taylor named preseason All-Big Ten

Wisconsin senior guard Jordan Taylor has been selected preseason All-Big Ten, as voted on by a panel of Big Ten media, and the Wisconsin men’s basketball team was predicted to finish second behind 2011 champion Ohio State. 

The media made Buckeye sophomore Jared Sullinger as the Preseason Player of the Year.  Joining Taylor and Sullinger on the Preseason All-Big Ten team are Michigan State’s Draymond Green, Minnesota’s Trevor Mbakwe and Purdue’s Robbie Hummel.