WRN Contributor, Author at Wisconsin Radio Network

DNR offers ice advice to hunters

November 19, 2019 By WRN Contributor

Deer hunters will be dealing with some challenging conditions when they hit the fields as the gun season opens Saturday. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wardens are urging them to watch out for the ice, especially if they aren’t familiar with the area.

It has been unusually cold, but the ice on ponds and marsh areas may not be thick enough and that could be dangerous. Hunters are being urged to take a “spud bar” with them to tap the ice. If it’s thick enough to walk on, it won’t crack when the hunter taps it with the metal.

Increase in E-Coli cases in Wisconsin

November 19, 2019 By WRN Contributor

There’s an E Coli outbreak in Wisconsin, and it’s unclear what’s making people sick. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services said 20 people have been reported sick with E Coli since last week.

The cases are spread across the state, so there is no one source for the outbreak. Public health managers say they are trying to find a tie that binds the cases together.

Diemel remains found in Nebraska

November 19, 2019 By WRN Contributor

A Nebraska cattleman who had purchased a used stock trailer has discovered the remains of one of the Diemel brothers from Shawano County. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s office, the rancher had just purchased the trailer from a man in Missouri and had discovered a tub of dirt that the seller didn’t remove from it. The rancher dumped the tub and discovered what appeared to be human remains along with some small personal items.

The unidentified man immediately called the Sheriff’s office who investigated and confirmed the remains were human. From there they determined the remains could belong to one of the brothers.

It’s the second set of remains that have been found in connection with the investigation. Shortly after the brothers went missing it was announced that another set of remains was found on Garland “Joey” Nelson’s farm.

Nick and Justin Diemel went missing after traveling to Nelson’s farm to collect a check from a cattle deal. After they went missing their rental truck was found in a Missouri commuter lot. Nelson was initially suspected in their disappearance but it wasn’t until mid-October that officials brought formal murder charges against him.

Investigators did not say if the trailer was purchased from Nelson.

Popeye’s pandemonium in MKE leads to firings

November 18, 2019 By WRN Contributor

The owner of a Popeye’s fast-food restaurant in Milwaukee says seven employees there have been fired for fighting. Their violent actions last Wednesday were captured on cell phone video by a customer.

Witnesses said several employees of the restaurant were throwing punches, but it isn’t clear what started the fisticuffs. Police say they didn’t arrest anyone and no weapons were used. No injuries were reported and the names of the people involved haven’t been released.

DNR busts Vernon County deer poachers

November 18, 2019 By WRN Contributor

Five men have been convicted in a major deer poaching case in Vernon County. Investigators with the Department of Natural Resources believe up to 40 deer were killed before any arrests were made.

A DNR warden told the Journal Sentinel it’s one of the biggest poaching cases she has ever handled. Warden Shawna Stringham said the five men were not hunting for food but “were just out to kill something.”

Judge rules Treu trial will be held in Chippewa County

November 18, 2019 By WRN Contributor

Over the objections of his attorneys, the trial of a man charged for a fatal crash into a group of Girl Scouts will not be moved. Judge James Issacson determined at a motions hearing on Friday that the trial for 22-year-old Colton Treau will be heard in Chippewa County with jurors selected there, according to the Chippewa Herald.

Treu has pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide charges for the deaths of three girls and one mother. Prosecutors say Treu was high on aerosol fumes when he crashed into the Girl Scouts group picking up trash along a highway in Lake Hallie a year ago. Trial is scheduled for January 21.

Madison budget includes minder for police department

November 14, 2019 By WRN Contributor

The City of Madison will hire someone to keep tabs on its police department. The common council passed a $340-million operating budget and a $174-million-dollar capital budget Wednesday.

City leaders helped closed an $11-million gap by enacting a new $40 local vehicle registration fee. The taxing-and-spending plan for 2020 also includes a new independent police auditor, three new police officers, affordable housing projects, and an ambulance for the under-served south-east side. Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway says she plans to sign the budget without any vetoes.

Shorewood schools open after ‘hit list’ scare

November 14, 2019 By WRN Contributor

Schools are open Thursday in the Shorewood district, after the arrest of a 14 year-old high school student found in possession of a “hit list” and a loaded magazine in his backpack. “As the superintendent and father of two daughters in the district, I understand that this is a very difficult situation for all of us,” Superintendent Bryan Davis said during a Wednesday press conference.

Police said another student saw the “hit list” in a notebook and reported it to school staff. Officers found the gun the magazine went with off campus. Davis said the district will be doing whatever is necessary to support students. “Certainly safety is a priority. We also want to make that the student who is in trouble in this situation, we can also offer some guidance and support.”

A student who saw the “hit list” confided in an adult. Police found the list and a loaded magazine in the boy’s backpack, and the gun was located off campus.

Pence visit to Marinette rescheduled for next week

November 14, 2019 By WRN Contributor

Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to stop in northeast Wisconsin during a campaign swing next week. The vice president will tour Marinette Marine and deliver remarks at the shipbuilding plant in northeastern Wisconsin Wednesday. Later the same day he will move on to his home state of Indiana.

The vice president’s visit was originally scheduled for October 23rd, but he canceled at the last minute for a Washington event, then made a stop in Pleasant Prairie later in the day.

Arrest made in Dunn County abandoned dog case

November 14, 2019 By WRN Contributor

An arrest has been made in the case of severely malnourished dog that was found in Dunn County. Boyceville Police Chief Greg Lamkin said 29-year-old Anne Iehl surrendered a male dog to the Dunn County Humane Society on November 1st, claiming she found the dog as a stray. Iehl later admitted to lying about finding him, and had actually abandoned the dog as she was dealing with personal hardships.

A police report the dog, named Gabriel, has gained back weight while in the care of the Humane Society.