Cops will be looking for drunk drivers this weekend. Major Dan Lonsdorf with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation says the New Year’s holiday weekend is unfortunately among the most dangerous on Wisconsin roads. The State Patrol and local police and sheriff’s departments will be on the lookout for drunk drivers, but despite their best efforts, only a small percentage will be caught. Lonsdorf notes the New Year’s holiday last year saw traffic crashes claim eight lives. Lonsdorf suggests means planning ahead by choosing a designated driver for your celebrations, and if you do have too much to drink, stay off the roads.
Archives for 2010
Walker’s DNR pick draws fire (VIDEO)
One of Governor-elect Scott Walker‘s cabinet picks is already drawing some partisan fire. Brett Hulsey, a Madison Democrat elected to fill the Assembly seat long held by environmentalist Representative Spencer Black, is unimpressed by Walker’s pick to head the Department of Natural Resources. “Appointing Cathy Stepp to be in charge of our health and environmental safeguards is like putting Lindsey Lohan in charge of a rehab center,” said Hulsey of Stepp, a former Republican state Senator. “Her environmental record and conservation record was under thirty percent while she served in the state Senate. It’s just unfathomable that she would be put in charge of the agency that’s supposed to protect our safety, our air and our waters.” [Read more…]
Democrats want focus on creating jobs (VIDEO)
Incoming Governor Scott Walker is expected to declare an economic emergency for the state next week and call lawmakers into a special session, after he’s sworn in this coming Monday. When that happens, Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) says the focus should be on proposals that get people back to work right away.
Walker has several proposals he wants lawmakers to act on to spark economic development, which include revamping the Department of Commerce and changes to the rule making process used by state agencies. Barca says those ideas are being viewed carefully by Democrats. [Read more…]
Watch for black ice
This week’s early-winter thaw presents drivers with one of the season’s most hazardous driving obstacles; black ice. State Trooper Luke Newman says it’s difficult to see, but may give roads a glossy-look. He says bridge decks and underpasses are areas that are particularly prone to black ice conditions.
Badgers help retailers extend shopping season
The holiday shopping season isn’t over yet, thanks, in part, to the Badgers.
As fans commemorate Bucky’s trip to Pasadena, some retailers rake in a little extra cash. Retail analyst Doug Johnson says thank goodness for the Rose Bowl-bound Wisconsin Badgers. “It’s interesting to see the impact upon continued holiday shopping sales when local football teams continue to succeed.” [Read more…]
Packers Look To Beat Bears
The Chicago Bears have already clinched a first round bye in the NFC playoffs, but it seems that they may not treat Sunday’s game with the Packers at Lambeau Field as a tune-up. Chicago head coach Lovie Smith has said all along that he will play the game with the intention to win and not rest any players heading into the playoffs. QB Jay Cutler also said this week that he expects to play the entire game on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
The Packers need to win in order to make the playoffs and they all say they can’t concern themselves with who’s lining up across from them for the Bears. Mike McCarthy says they will prepare as if the Bears will be playing all of their starters. QB Aaron Rodgers expects the Bears to give Green Bay their best shot.
Sunday’s game kicks off at 3:15pm at Lambeau Field.
Rose Bowl Preview
The Wisconsin Badgers continue to get ready for Saturday’s Rose Bowl against TCU. All the fun in California is over and it’s all business for UW heading into Saturday afternoons contest. The Badgers are being billed as the big time college football power while TCU is being labeled as the “little guy” trying to crash the big school party.
It wasn’t that long ago that the Badgers were considered the “New Kids on the Block” but now with another trip to the Rose Bowl and a share of the Big Ten title, many are looking to them to take care of business against the upstart Horned Frogs.
This game has also been labeled “Speed vs. Power” as TCU is considered fast and UW with a big offensive line is thought to be a power running team. UW though has some speed that could surprise those watching the game.
The Rose Bowl will kickoff just after 4pm on Saturday
Golden Eagles Fall To Vandy
The Marquette Golden Eagles suffered another hard-luck loss on Wednesday night. This time they fell to Vanderbilt 77-76 on the road in Nashville. Dwight Buycks hit the go-ahead jumper late, giving MU a one point lead, but Andre Walker hit the winning lay-up with 4.1 seconds left for Vandy. The Golden Eagles had a chance to win it but Darius Johnson-Odom fell down on a drive to the basket. The loss drops Marquette to 9-4 overall on the season. Buzz Williams squad will host West Virginia on Saturday morning. That game has a 10am tip at the Bradley Center.
Commerce jobs in question
If Governor-elect Scott Walker’s plan to revamp the Department of Commerce is approved, it could put several people at the agency out of work.
The Governor-elect wants to transform the Department into a new Economic Development Corporation, which would focus on bringing jobs to Wisconsin. Walker says additional duties of the Department of Commerce would be shifted to other agencies. [Read more…]
Caution urged with manure spreading
Dairy farmers are being urged to use extreme caution in spreading manure during the warm weather. Ed Odgers, head of the Conservation Engineering section at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, said it’s going to be “touch and go” during the warm, wet spell forecast for today and Friday. “There could be enough rain and thawing such that we could see some mass movement of water and therefore manure that might be applied on sloped surfaces, and near streams, said Odgers. “Extreme caution should be used in spreading of manure.” [Read more…]