Photo: Wisconsin Department of Tourism

A lighthouse that has helped boaters enter Wisconsin at Superior is being offered for free, but you will have to maintain it and use it for something positive.

The “Superior Entry” lighthouse is still operating, but the US Coast Guard says it no longer needs it. The 100-year-old structure is being offered to eligible groups, such as non-profit corporations, state and local agencies, or educational and community development groups.

There are some conditions though. Those taking over the lighthouse would have to pay for upkeep on the historic site. The Coast Guard would also still have the option of running, replacing, or moving the structure’s light and foghorn.

The offer is part of a preservation effort started 13 years ago, which has seen the Coast Guard convert 92 lighthouses to new uses.

Sgt. Gundlach is reunited with Casey (Photo: Radio Iowa)

A Marine from Wisconsin who promised to adopt the bomb sniffing dog he served with in Afghanistan received a surprise Friday, during a ceremony at the Iowa State Capitol.

Sergeant Ross Gundlach traveled to Des Moines to appear at a hearing, where the 25-year-old planned to make his case for being allowed to adopt Casey. The four-year-old purebred lab came to the Iowa Fire Marshal’s Office as a bomb detection dog after serving in Afghanistan. Before the hearing, state officials asked Gundlach to attend a ceremony for Armed Forces Day in the Capitol rotunda. It was actually a ruse though, and State Fire Marshal Ray Reynolds soon revealed that they had already taken care of the adoption and Gundlach would be returning home with his dog.

Gundlach was reunited with Casey as the crowd looked on, saying afterwards that it was a total surprise and “pretty overwhelming.”

AUDIO: Sgt Ross Gundlach (:19)

The Iowa Elks Association donated money for the Fire Marshal’s Office to buy a replacement dog. Casey was promoted to special agent, and then Iowa Governor Terry Branstad immediately issued a proclamation retiring her from duty.

Gundlach is bringing Casey back to Madison where he plans to go to school in June to become a physical therapist.

Dar Danielson, Radio Iowa

What is Marathon County going to do about the cost of impounding cats?  It’s an expensive problem, since the state only requires counties to pay for impounding dogs seven days, but has no requirements for cat care. Since laws are different for licensing cats and dogs, that leaves the county with little revenue to take care of them.

The County Board heard input on Thursday from supporters of county funding for cat impoundment at the Humane Society of Marathon County. By law, the county cannot charge for a cat license, but other governmental units, like cities towns and villages, can. The resolution being considered by the County Board would have those local governments arrange their own cat contract with the humane society.

Linda Berner-Karger from the Humane Society of Marathon County believes contracting separately with towns and villages would not be the best decision. “I think it’s going to be a more difficult solution,” she said. “The municipalities, I don’t believe, are set up to handle that and I really think that there needs to be county oversight for a problem like this in the community.”

Some board members indicated they would not vote next Tuesday for the resolution cutting off humane society funding for cats after they’re impounded seven days. Board member Matt Powers thinks a Tuesday vote is too soon, and that more work needs to be done on this issue.

The funding issue deals with impounded cats that have been captured and brought to the shelter. It does not affect animals that are surrendered to the shelter by their owners.

WSAU