WHBY

Chilton man charged with girlfriend's murder

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:25:00 CST

About two months after a Chilton woman was last seen, her longtime boyfriend is officially facing a murder charge.

Michelle Jaeger was reported missing in mid-January, and Manitowoc County prosecutors are now charging Roger Rosenthal with first-degree intentional homicide.

The 51-year-old Chilton man was arrested by Calumet County authorities during the investigation into Jaeger's disappearance, after detectives said he lied to them.

Jaeger's body was found a short time later, in a wooded area east of Brillion. Her body was tied to a sled, and it was not far from the tree stand that Rosenthal used during the deer hunting season.

A judge already ordered him to stand trial on a charge of concealing a corpse. Rosenthal has been behind bars for several weeks, in the Manitowoc County jail.

Appleton panel looks into police partnerships

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:24:00 CST

An Appleton city panel is considering three possible ways that the city's police department can partner with Grand Chute.

Alderman Earl Brooker is the chair of the city's safety and licensing committee, and he says it's a good idea to explore ways that could save taxpayers money.

Under the proposal from both police chiefs, the closest officer, regardless of department, would respond to serious calls.

Brooker says the departments might also be able to share a crime scene unit and have their school liaison officers collaborate more often.

The safety and licensing committee could take a vote on the ideas sometime next month.

Fox Cities leaders call for RTA

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:23:00 CST

Fox Valley representatives joined leaders from around the state in Madison yesterday, to support regional transit authorities.

Following a rally that called on state lawmakers to let local governments create regional transit authorities, Appleton Mayor Tim Hanna addressed the Assembly transportation committee. He spoke in favor of letting Fox Cities communities combine to create an RTA that would help to fund Valley Transit.

The new entity would have the authority to create a sales tax of up to a half-cent, but Hanna says voters would have to approve it.

Hanna says Valley Transit will likely face a $1 million cut in federal funding following the 2010 census, because the population will exceed a certain limit. He says the RTA could help to offset the loss.

Sen. Mike Ellis of Neenah and Rep. Penny Bernard Schaber of Appleton also spoke in favor of the Fox Cities RTA.

Neumann talks about jobs with business leaders

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:21:00 CST

One of the Republican candidates for Governor was in the Fox Cities yesterday.

Former Congressman and business owner Mark Neumann visited business leaders at Fox Valley Technical College. Neumann says his biggest priority is creating more jobs in Wisconsin. He says the state's business climate is among the worst in the country, and he has a plan to try to change that.

Neumann says he met with members of the New North yesterday. He says the group will play a major role in improving the state's image.

Neumann wouldn't say how many jobs he hopes to create. His Republican opponent in the September primary, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, says he has a plan that would create 250,000 jobs in four years. The lone Democratic candidate, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, says he could create 180,000 new jobs in three years.

Feingold: Unused earmarks could reduce deficit

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:20:00 CST

A Wisconsin senator says he has a plan to help reduce the federal deficit.

Sen. Russ Feingold says lawmakers should cancel transportation earmarks that are at least 10 years old and haven't been used. He says that would bring in at least $626 million.

Feingold says in order to qualify, at least 90 percent of the funding for a delayed project must still be set aside in a federal transportation account.

He says there is bi-partisan support for his proposal.

Local police can mentor kids, teach baseball

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:21:00 CST

A number of officers from local law enforcement agencies will use the game of baseball to reach out to young kids.

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen was at the Boys and Girls Club in Appleton yesterday to announce that the Badges for Baseball program is coming to the area.

He says police volunteer to mentor middle-school age children, to teach them life lessons, along with the fundamentals of the sport.

Neenah police chief Kevin Wilkinson says his department will participate.

The attorney general says the partnership gives officers a chance to work with kids and disprove the perception that when police are around, something bad is happening.

Van Hollen presented $100,000 to the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, which developed the mentoring program.

The Appleton, Grand Chute and Outagamie County departments are also taking part, as well as the Appleton fire department.

Advocate hopes murder trial is a wake-up call

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:45:00 CST

A local advocate for domestic abuse victims hopes all of the attention given to the Scott Schmidt murder trial makes people more aware of the domestic abuse problem in the Fox Cities.

Beth Schnorr is the executive director for Harbor House. She says the incident should serve as a wake-up call.

Schmidt was convicted of first-degree intentional homicide last night for killing his estranged wife, Kelly Wing Schmidt. The former Appleton firefighter claims he went to her Grand Chute home last April to try to reconcile his marriage. He says an argument became heated and ended with the shooting.

Schnorr says people need to watch for the warning signs of abuse and know that help is available. She hopes awareness raised by the Schmidt case prevents future attacks.

12 suspects arrested in drug bust

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:44:00 CST

12 suspects are in the custody in the Brown County jail, after agents broke up a drug ring over the last couple of weeks.

Sheriff's department officials say they believe all 12 were in the country illegally, and they contacted federal immigration authorities.

Two of the people are from Kaukauna, but the rest are from Green Bay and Bellevue.

As part of a nine-month investigation, drug agents executed several search warrants and seized cocaine, meth and marijuana. They say they found more than 1,000 grams of cocaine, 32 grams of meth and almost 50 pounds of marijuana.

Neenah Foundry has plan to keep operating

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:43:00 CST

Neenah Foundry's parent company will use $140 million in loans and revolving credit to continue its normal operations, while re-organizing its finances.

Neenah Enterprises filed for bankruptcy protection last month, and a federal court in Delaware approved the company's short-term financing plan.

It calls for $50 million in short term loans and $90 million in credit. The money will cover employee payroll and benefits, and allow Neenah Foundry to continue to pay its suppliers.

When the company filed for bankruptcy protection, leaders announced that the move wouldn't impact their employees.

About 800 people work for Neenah Foundry in Neenah.

Police coming to Winchester school meeting

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:42:00 CST

An upcoming meeting on the proposed closure of Winchester elementary school is expected to draw a large crowd, and officers in uniform.

Winneconne acting police chief Paul Olson says they were contacted by school officials to provide security, as a precaution.

Three uniformed officers will be at Monday night's meeting. Olson says that's unusual. He says they have been present at expulsion hearings, but not school board meetings.

Olson says they hope everyone remains civil at the meeting.

A group is trying to convince the school board to change its mind and keep the elementary school open. Members say in the 1950's, they joined the Winneconne school district with the understanding that a school would be located in Winchester. They believe the district should continue to honor that commitment.

Green Bay police recommend charges after crash

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:42:00 CST

Police are asking prosecutors to charge a 19-year-old Krakow man with hit-and-run, and driving a stolen vehicle, after last night's serious accident in Green Bay.

Authorities say Andrew Gleason was behind the wheel of a stolen truck when he rear-ended a car that was stopped at a red light, at the corner of W. Mason Street and S. Military Avenue.

40-year-old Anthony John of Green Bay was driving the car, and he suffered serious injuries. His car was pushed into another car, and that driver only had minor injuries.

An off-duty police lieutenant witnessed the crash and chased Gleason, after Gleason ran away. He was arrested several blocks away from the accident scene.

NWS: Frequent spring fog not unusual

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:41:00 CST

A meteorologist says while it has been really foggy lately in the Appleton area, it isn't too unusual to have to deal with stretches of dense fog in the spring.

Jeff Last of the National Weather Service says during this time of year, the snow is melting and mild air is moving in from the south.

Last says fog forms when the mild air moves over the cold ground. He says that causes the moisture in the air to condense and create a ground-level cloud.

Military urged to cut oil dependence

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:41:00 CST

A group of veterans stopped by the state capitol yesterday to urge the military to become less dependent on fossil fuels.

Neenah native Robin Eckstine is a member of "Operation Free." She says she started thinking about the issue while driving trucks in Iraq.

Eckstine says the Navy and Marine Corps have plans to reduce their carbon emissions. She says later this year the Navy plans to test fly an F/A-18 Super Hornet powered by bio-fuel.

Lawmaker wants to mandate basic CPR lesson

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:40:00 CST

A state lawmaker wants to make sure teens know CPR.

Rep. Ted Zigmunt is pushing a proposal that would force school districts to teach CPR to high school students, and show them how to use a defribrillator.

The Francis Creek Democrat says it would be up to administrators in each school district to decide how in-depth they want to get. Zigmunt says they would meet the standards of the bill by having local firefighters or EMTs come to school once a year to teach a two-hour class.

An assembly committee is considering the proposal.

Jury: Schmidt intentionally killed estranged wife

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:25:00 CST

The man accused of murdering his estranged wife in Grand Chute is now facing a life prison sentence.

A jury of eight men and four women from Portage County returned guilty verdicts last night against Scott Schmidt. The former Appleton firefighter shot and killed Kelly Wing Schmidt last April, and jurors convicted him of first-degree intentional homicide.

He was also found guilty of a lesser charge of reckless endangerment for shooting his mother-in-law, Barbara Wing.

Outagamie County judge John Des Jardins read the verdicts around 8:45 p.m. Schmidt was also convicted of bail jumping.

Outagamie County district attorney Carrie Schneider says Wing Schmidt's family is very happy with the verdicts, but the impact of the crime will be long-lasting.

Schneider says Wing just wanted a guilty verdict on the murder charge, and that she didn't care what the jury decided on the count of attempted murder.

Schmidt will receive an automatic life sentence, and Des Jardins will decide in May whether Schmidt should ever be eligible for parole.

Deer hunters' group pleased with DNR decision

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:23:00 CST

Members of a wildlife group say the DNR appears to be listening to their concerns about the deer herd.

The agency announced this week that it's raising its population goals in nearly a third of the state's deer management zones. Whitetail's Unlimited spokesman Jaime Merckx says hunters have been complaining for years that the deer herd is too small.

Meckx says two hard winters and increasing numbers of deer being killed by predators also hurt the deer herd. He says a mild winter this year should help their numbers bounce back.

Bernard Schaber's law targets check scam

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:22:00 CST

An Appleton lawmaker's bill to crack down on a check scam is now a state law.

Rep. Penny Bernard Schaber's proposal went after companies that send contracts in the mail, only they look like checks. She says there is a dollar amount on the check, and people can cash them.

The Appleton democrat says there is wording on the back, though, and when people endorse the check, they're signing up for a service or agreeing to a loan.

Bernard Schaber says there are now some safeguards in place. They force the companies to clearly identify the service they're offering on the back of the check, and in a separate letter. She says people would also have a chance to "opt out" of any contract.

Schmidt convicted of murdering estranged wife

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:15:00 CST

A jury says a former Appleton firefighter intentionally killed his estranged wife.

The panel of eight men and four women returned its verdict tonight, in the Scott Schmidt murder trial.

Schmidt will serve an automatic life prison sentence because the conviction on the first-degree intentional homicide charge for the death of Kelly Wing Schmidt.

Jurors found Schmidt guilty on a lesser charge of first-degree reckless endangerment for shooting his mother-in-law, Barbara Wing, in April of last year.

Outagamie County judge John Des Jardins will determine in May whether Schmidt should ever be eligible for parole.

Jury deliberating in Schmidt trial

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:26:00 CST

The fate of a former Appleton firefighter is now in the hands of a jury.

Earlier this afternoon attorneys gave their closing statements in the Scott Schmidt murder trial. Schmidt killed his estranged wife, Kelly Wing Schmidt, and shot his mother-in-law in the chest last April during an argument at Wing Schmidt's home.

Schmidt's attorney, Greg Petit, argues that his client may be guilty of first degree reckless homicide, but he doesn't think he committed the more serious offense of first degree murder. Petit says the difference is that Schmidt intent to kill his wife.

Outagamie County District Attorney Carrie Schneider says Wing Schmidt's injuries show he intended to kill her.

Schmidt also faces a charge of first degree attempted homicide for shooting his mother-in-law, Barb Wing. Petit is asking jurors to consider the lesser charge of first degree recklessly endangering safety. He claims that Schmidt didn't intent to kill her either.

The jury is now deliberating the case. It's made up of eight men and four women.

Wis. Ave. businesses preparing for work zone

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:24:00 CST

Orange construction barrels and "Road Closed" signs will be going up along a stretch of Wisconsin Avenue within two weeks, and businesses along the busy street are bracing for the potential impact.

Mark Dougherty of Mark's East Side says he's more concerned about next year, when access could be more difficult because crews will be pouring concrete. He says things shouldn't be as bad this year, while workers replace the utilities under the street.

Dougherty says they're going to have some "construction specials" and reach out to their customers.

Chad Van Daalwyk is the owner of The 10th Frame. He says he's thinking positively, and focusing on what the street will look like when the project is done.

The city and state will rebuild the street between Richmond Street and Ballard Road.

State to require more carbon monoxide detectors

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:23:00 CST

People who live in single-family homes and duplexes will need to have carbon monoxide detectors, under a law signed by Governor Doyle today.

Sen. Dave Hansen of Green Bay was a co-author of the measure, and he says it was modeled after the rules for smoke detectors.

The law requires that people have CO detectors on every floor of their home, including the basement. Attics and storage areas would be exempt.

Hansen says they're not creating a fine, but when someone sells their house, home inspectors will have to check for the detectors.

In a new house, the detectors need to be hard-wired, with a battery backup.

The new law takes effect next February.

DNR wants to boost deer numbers in more areas

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:23:00 CST

Plenty of hunters were upset after last year's gun deer season, and now, the DNR is raising population goals in nearly a third of the state's deer management zones.

The latest plan calls for increases in 43 zones. The agency originally wanted to boost the population in only 13 of the 131 zones, but the assembly fish and wildlife committee shot down that idea.

DNR officials believe the changes will increase the state's deer population by about 92,000 before the fall hunt.

Anti-obesity federal funding coming to Wis.

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:21:00 CST

Wisconsin will be getting a "sizeable" federal grant to fight obesity among children. That's according to Jon Hisgen with the state department of public instruction.

He says kids are packing on the pounds because they're not active enough.

The federal grant will be used in Wisconsin to help 20 school districts set up programs to get kids more physically active during the day, and after school.

Wisconsin Ave. work starting soon in Appleton

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:25:00 CST

In less than two weeks, much of Wisconsin Avenue in Appleton will be shut down for the first part of a major reconstruction project.

Keith Curran is an engineer for the city's public works department. He says they're going to start on the first segment, between Erb St. and Union St., on Monday, March 22. The rest of the work will get under way about a month later.

Crews are going to install new sewer, water and other utilities this summer between Erb Street and Ballard Road. Curran says the work will continue through September.

He says they'll be back at it again next year, with the DOT taking over to reconstruct the street, using concrete.

Curran says just like when the College Avenue bridge was out, people will have to find other ways to get where they're going.

Strauch running for Outagamie Co. exec

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:23:00 CST

A possible primary is 11 months away, and the first candidate for Outagamie County executive is entering the race.

County supervisor Anne Strauch officially threw her hat in the ring, in hopes of succeeding the retiring Toby Paltzer.

Strauch says economic development is her top priority.

She says the next county executive should currently be involved in the county's decision making. She says that's because it would take time for someone to get up to speed with the budget situation.

The primary election for the office would be in February of next year.

ThedaCare leader supports transparency law

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:22:00 CST

A new law requires hospitals to post the prices of their more frequently performed procedures, and the leader of a local health care organization says that's a good thing.

ThedaCare President Dean Gruner says patients deserve to know how much they'll pay when they go to the doctor. He says right now people can't compare prices, and it's even difficult for healthcare organizations to know where they stand.

Under the bill signed yesterday by Governor Doyle, health insurance companies will also have to give patients an estimate of out-of-pocket expenses.

State BBB saw fewer complaints

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:21:00 CST

The number of complaints coming in to the state's Better Business Bureau bucked a national trend.

State director Ran Hoth says while complaints were up almost nine percent across the country last year, they were down nearly eight percent in Wisconsin.

While the cell phone industry generated the most complaints nationwide last year, new car dealers ranked number one in Wisconsin. Mail order and catalog companies were second.

Schmidt takes stand in own defense

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:20:00 CST

The former Appleton firefighter charged with killing his estranged wife says he went to her Grand Chute home to confront her, and her boyfriend.

Scott Schmidt testified in his own defense this afternoon in Outagamie County court. He says when Kelly Wing Schmidt ran outside, he remembers pushing the door open, and hearing a gunshot. He says he doesn't remember shooting her.

Schmidt says he parked his car at a nearby fire station because he thought he was going to punch Wing Schmidt's boyfriend in the nose, and he might go to jail for a couple of days.

He says he got the gun out of the garage because he was going to bring it home with him or store it in a construction trailer. Schmidt says it fell out of his waistband while they argued in the house, and that's how it ended up in his hand.

Schmidt will be back on the stand tomorrow morning. His attorney argues that Schmidt didn't intend to kill his wife, so jurors should consider a lesser charge of reckless homicide.

The jury could get the case sometime tomorrow afternoon.

Defense starts presenting case in Schmidt trial

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:45:00 CST

They used to be his colleagues at the Appleton fire department, and a number of firefighters testified today in the Scott Schmidt murder trial.

They said that in the months before the shooting death of Schmidt's estranged wife, Kelly Wing Schmidt, they were concerned that Schmidt might be suicidal.

The jury could start deciding Schmidt's fate tomorrow.

Flag Day parade route changing

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:44:00 CST

For the next two years, Appleton's Flag Day parade is going to take a detour.

Organizer Greg Otis says they have to change the route, because construction crews are going to be working on Wisconsin Avenue. He says the parade is going to start at the corner of College Avenue and State Street, and head east on College, before turning north on Drew Street.

The route continues on Drew Street to Erb Park, where the 5th Quarter event will be held.

The staging area is moving to the area around Arbutus Park.

City gets DNR grant for Pierce site

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:43:00 CST

Appleton city planners are eyeing the former Pierce Manufacturing site just west of the downtown for redevelopment, and the DNR is going to help with the demolition costs.

Community development director Karen Harkness says the city received a $100,000 dollar grant.

Pierce Manufacturing still owns the property at the corner of Spencer Street and Pierce Avenue, but the city is talking with the company about taking over the site.

Harkness says the location would be a good one for a residential project, since the properties that surround it are residential.

Foggy commute brings back memories of pile-ups

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:42:00 CST

This morning's foggy commute probably had people thinking about last Friday's pile-ups on Highway 41 near Kaukauna.

Lt. Nick Scorcio is with the state patrol, and he says that's especially the case for people who know those involved in the accidents, and people who were close to the scene when the pile-ups happened.

Scorcio says when it's foggy, drivers need to slow down and keep their distance from the vehicle in front of them. He says they should also turn on their low-beam headlights and stay vigilant.

There were two separate pile-ups on Highway 41 near Kaukauna last Friday. 31 cars were involved in the largest one, and seven were in the second.

A 52-year-old Greenville man suffered the most serious injuries and he was released from a local hospital yesterday.

DNR urges people to test well water annually

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:41:00 CST

A staffer for the DNR says people need to test their private wells every year.

Drinking water program supervisor Steve Ales says a study by UW-Madison researchers found that only 11 percent actually test their water annually.

Ales says there are as many as 1 million private wells in the state.

Ales says most people probably take their water for granted. He says they need to watch out for bacteria and high nitrate levels.

Appleton school board files layoff notices

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:24:00 CST

More than two dozen teachers in the Appleton school district could face layoffs.

The school board agreed to issue notices to 27 teachers last night.

Asst. superintendent Mark Huenink says they make up 16 full-time positions that need to be reduced because of budget cuts and a decline in high school enrollment.

He says last year, 44 teachers received notices, but some were called back throughout the summer to offset additional retirements. He says the same thing could happen this year.

Huenink says the school board didn't want to impact the elementary schools, and administrators were able to avoid laying off any classroom teachers at that level.

City panel hears from public on Google Fiber idea

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:23:00 CST

Google wants to test a new ultra high-speed Internet service, and people in Appleton got to have their say on whether bringing it to the city is a good idea.

The city's community development committee held a public hearing on the proposal yesterday, and most were excited about the possibility of having Google Fiber. The technology provides speeds that are a thousand times faster than regular high-speed service.

Ald. Jim Clemons is the chair of the committee, and he says if Appleton decides to pursue the service, there will be plenty of competition.

Last week, the mayor of Topeka, Kansas decided to rename the city "Google, Kansas" for a month to generate attention for the city's bid.

Study: School vending machines much healthier

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:22:00 CST

School children are getting 88 percent fewer calories from drinks that are available in school vending machines. That finding is part of a new national report.

Kelly McDowell of the Wisconsin Beverage Association says kids should have better choices. She says they're replacing soda with vitamin water, juices, or other low- or no-calorie drinks.

McDowell says they're also reducing the size of the portions that are available, to cut down on calories.

Beverage companies started working with the American Heart Association and other health-conscious groups on the effort in 2006.

State's first lady talks about Wis. Covenant

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:20:00 CST

Eighth-graders around the state can start signing up for a program that provides access to a higher education.

First Lady Jessica Doyle was at Wilson middle school in Appleton to talk with students about the Wisconsin Covenant. She says the first group of "Covenant students" will start graduating next year, and the popularity should continue to grow.

When students sign up for the Covenant, they agree to maintain a "B" average, help in the community and stay out of trouble.

If they do that, they're guaranteed access to a higher education in Wisconsin. They can also receive scholarships for their first two years of school.

Prosecution rests in Schmidt murder trial

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:20:00 CST

The defense began presenting its case in the Scott Schmidt murder trial.

Schmidt faces first-degree murder and attempted murder charges for killing his estranged wife, Kelly Wing Schmidt, and shooting her mother, Barb Wing, last April.

Wing testified for the prosecution Monday morning. She says when she arrived at Wing Schmidt's Grand Chute home, her daughter was in a bathroom and Schmidt was holding a gun and blocking the bathroom door.

Wing says when she yelled at Schmidt to leave, her daughter ran past Schmidt and out of the house. She says Schmidt chased her and shot Wing Schmidt in the driveway.

Wing says she then ran outside and saw her daughter on her hands and knees on the driveway, and Schmidt was standing over her with the gun.

She says she ran toward him yelling, "what have you done?," and he turned and shot her in the chest. Wing says he then turned back to Wing Schmidt and shot her daughter again.

The defense called one witness Monday afternoon and is expected to wrap up its case Wednesday.

Schmidt's attorney says his client went to his estranged wife's house to try to reconcile their marriage, and he didn't intent to kill anyone. He wants jurors to consider lesser charges.

The jury could get the case on Wednesday.

Murder suspect pleads not guilty to obstruction

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:11:00 CST

The Chilton man who is accused of hiding the body of his long-time girlfriend is pleading not guilty to a different charge in Calumet County.

Roger Rosenthal is also charged with obstructing officers during the investigation into Michelle Jaeger's disappearance. Rosenthal entered the not guilty plea to the misdemeanor count this afternoon.

He will stand trial in Manitowoc County on a felony charge of concealing a corpse, after a landowner found Jaeger's body east of Brillion. The body was not far from the tree stand that Rosenthal used during the deer hunting season.

Prosecutors haven't filed formal murder charges against Rosenthal yet.

Survey shows daily impact of domestic violence

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:10:00 CST

Groups that provide services to victims of domestic violence in Wisconsin helped about 2,000 people on a single day last year.

Patti Seeger is the executive director of the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She says they wanted to take a snapshot of what those groups do on a daily basis, so they collected figures from last September 15.

On that day, Seeger says nearly 900 people were in a shelter or transitional housing, and about 750 calls came in to domestic violence hotlines. She says they weren't able to help about 275 people who were reaching out, because of funding issues and an increase in need.

Seeger says the actual number of people that were served in a single day would have been higher, but nine of the 72 programs in the state didn't participate in the survey.

Women arrested in scheme with drunk men, ATMs

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:09:00 CST

Two Milwaukee women are in custody, and Green Bay police say they stole ATM cards from men who were drunk and walking around in the downtown.

Lt. Keith Knoebel says over the last month, the women would pick up men and drive them to an ATM to get money. He says they would watch to get the PIN number and later steal the card.

Police are recommending six charges of theft and 39 counts of fraudulently using an ATM card against 23-year-old Brittaney Hill and 22-year-old Mandisa Randolph.

Knoebel says Milwaukee police are also investigating similar incidents to see if the two women were involved.

Teens referred to juvenile system for house fire

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:07:00 CST

Waupaca County investigators say three teens admitted to accidently starting an unoccupied house on fire Sunday afternoon.

The sheriff's department says they talked to one 14-year-old boy and two 13-year-old boys from Clintonville, and they're referring the case to juvenile authorities.

Firefighters put out the blaze at the home on Highway 22 in the town of Larrabee.

Former lawmaker seeking senate seat

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:06:00 CST

A former member of the state assembly wants to become a senator.

Republican Frank Lasee of Bellevue is running for the first-district seat that's opening this fall with the retirement of longtime senator Alan Lasee.

Frank Lasee says getting people back to work needs to be the top priority in Madison. He says his experience in the legislature should help.

Lasee lost his bid for an eighth term in the assembly in the fall of 2008.

Another former Republican lawmaker is also running for the senate seat. Dave Hutchison left the assembly almost a decade ago.

There's one democrat in the race too -- Kimberly school board president Monk Elmer.

Shooting victim's mother expected to testify

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:25:00 CST

The murder trial of a former Appleton firefighter continues today, and the mother of the victim is expected to take the stand.

Scott Schmidt is charged with first-degree intentional homicide for the shooting death of Kelly Wing Schmidt in April of last year. Her mother, Barbara Wing, was also shot, but she survived.

Outagamie County district attorney Carrie Schneider told jurors during opening statements last week that Wing watched as Schmidt shot her daughter in the head.

Schmidt's attorney says his client did kill Wing Schmidt, but he didn't intend to do that when he went to her Grand Chute home, in hopes of working on their marriage. He's asking the jury from Portage County to consider a lesser charge of reckless homicide.

Report shows drop in school bullying

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:24:00 CST

An official with the state Department of Public Instruction is applauding news that there's been a sharp drop in the number of kids who report they've been bullied or beaten up by their classmates.

Jon Hisgen says it indicates anti-bullying programs in schools are paying off.

Astudy funded by the Justice Department finds reports of bullying nationwide are down more than 30 percent in recent years.

Hisgen helped create an anti-bullying curriculum that was offered to school districts around the state.

'Tim's Law' requiring blood draws advances

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:23:00 CST

A proposal to require blood draws from drivers involved in any serious or deadly crash is going to Governor Doyle's desk.

Rep. Dan LeMahieu of Cascade introduced the bill in memory of Tim McKee. McKee lost his life in November of 2008, in a Washington County crash, and the driver who hit him didn't have his blood drawn until three hours had passed.

LeMahieu says McKee's family was on hand last week, when the assembly approved "Tim's Law."

Under the proposal, blood would be drawn even if authorities don't suspect that a driver was under the influence, as long as that driver broke a traffic law.

Group believes $3 gas coming soon

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:22:00 CST

The price of gas will hit the three dollar a gallon mark before long.

That's the feeling of Craig Thompson, the head of the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin. He says he hasn't seen any predictions that prices will reach the four dollar level, and he hopes that's not the case.

Thompson says higher crude oil prices are to blame, thanks to an increase in demand in China. He says refiners are switching to a more expensive summer blend of gas, and that's playing a role as well.

Major pileup closes Hwy. 41 for several hours

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:45:00 CST

Dense fog caused two pileups on Highway 41 near Kaukauna during the morning rush hour.

Outagamie County sheriff Brad Gehring says 31 vehicles were involved in one pileup near the Highway 55 exit, and seven more were at a second crash scene. He says it's a miracle that no one was killed. More than a dozen people were hurt.

Gehring says you have to see that crash scene, in order to believe it.

Officials at Appleton Medical Center say one person is in serious condition, but the other patients are in fair to good condition.

The highway re-opened to traffic around 1 p.m.

Schmidt asks jurors to consider lesser charges

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:44:00 CST

A former Appleton firefighter charged with murdering his estranged wife is asking jurors to consider lesser charges.

In Outagamie County court this morning Scott Schmidt's attorney, Greg Petit, said his client killed Kelly Wing Schmidt, but that wasn't his intent the day that he went to her Grand Chute home.

He says Schmidt wanted to confront Wing Schmidt and her boyfriend before they went to Chicago for the weekend, and then patch things up with her.

Prosecutors charged Schmidt with first-degree intentional homicide, which carries a life sentence. Petit wants jurors to consider a reckless homicide charge instead.

Appleton Police Lt. Charles Klauck was the first officer on the scene. He says he saw Schmidt standing over Wing Schmidt's body while holding a gun.

Klauck told Petit that Wing Schmidt's mother, Barbara Wing, was standing near the front door of the house. Schmidt also shot Wing in the chest, but she survived.

Klauck says Schmidt told him "I had to do it" as he was putting Schmidt in a squad car.

Prosecutors say Schmidt went to Wing Schmidt's to kill his estranged wife. District Attorney Carrie Schneider told jurors Schmidt's gun had nine bullets in it, and he shot Wing Schmidt in the head three times.

Night snowmobiling speed limit moves forward

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:43:00 CST

A state lawmaker's proposal to implement a permanent 55-mile-an-hour night-time speed limit for snowmobilers is taking a step forward.

Rep. Dean Kaufert of Neenah says since they put a temporary limit in place four years ago, fatalities have dropped 40 percent.

The Republican lawmaker says the temporary speed limit is set to expire before the start of the next snowmobiling season, so they need to act now. The assembly did just that, passing the permanent rule last night, unanimously.

The measure now goes to the state senate.

Kaufert says it's a great example of the state doing something on a trial basis, and having it work.

Bowling alley owner arrested for arson

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:42:00 CST

One of the owners of the Fond du Lac bowling alley that was destroyed by fire Wednesday night is accused of arson.

Police arrested Lyle Huss last night. Captain Steve Klein says investigators talked with Huss about the fire at Last Stop Lanes, and they're forwarding charges to the district attorney's office.

Firefighters were called to the bowling alley early Wednesday morning, and flames were already coming out of the eaves of the building. The roof eventually collapsed.

The building was used as a bowling alley for the last 90 years.

Marian Univ. honors Gov. Doyle

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:41:00 CST

Marian University honored Governor Doyle last night for the efforts to keep Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac.

Doyle worked with local officials to keep the outboard engine maker from moving to Stillwater, Okla. Doyle says five or 10 years from now, people will know that the difficult decisions that were made for the right reasons.

Doyle says the state needs to focus on creating high-end jobs with companies that produce quality products. He says it's important to offer a quality education to students and keep investing in more "Green Energy" jobs.

Schmidt murder trial starts today

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:25:00 CST

A jury of 10 men and five women will decide the murder case of a former Appleton firefighter.

39-year-old Scott Schmidt is standing trial, starting this morning, on accusations that he killed his estranged wife outside of her Grand Chute home last April.

A jury form Portage County is hearing the case because of pre-trial publicity.

Outagamie County judge John Des Jardins oversaw the jury selection process in Stevens Point yesterday. Members of the panel will be bussed to and from Appleton each day.

Schmidt is charged with first-degree intentional homicide for the death of Kelly Wing Schmidt and attempted murder, for wounding her mother, Barbara Wing.

Opening statements are scheduled for this morning at the Outagamie County justice center.

Feds now pitching in for Fox River PCB project

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:23:00 CST

Federal funds will help pay for removing PCBs from the Fox River.

Congressman Steve Kagen says the EPA's deputy director agreed yesterday to use money from the Great Lakes Restoration fund on the project.

The Appleton Democrat says that fund has $75 million left over from last year's budget and $300 million is budgeted for this year. He says he's working with the state to get a share of it.

Kagen says the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers also gave approval to resume a dredging project in Green Bay. He says the port generates $70 million a year in economic activity.

Kagen says both commitments were made during a federal water resources committee meeting.

Lawmakers: Chances slim for more reforms

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:21:00 CST

Some area lawmakers say a compromise is not likely on a reform plan for Milwaukee's public school system.

Governor Doyle blames the lack of reform for the state being passed over for federal "Race to the Top" dollars.

Kaukauna Democrat Tom Nelson says the chances of passing anything during the last two weeks of the spring legislative session aren't good.

Neenah Republican Dean Kaufert says even if Milwaukee reforms pass, the state's inability to hold teachers accountable for bad test scores will still hurt the state's chances.

The state can apply for a second round of "Race to the Top" grants in June.

United Way Fox Cities holds annual dinner

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:20:00 CST

Leaders of the United Way Fox Cities looked back on their accomplishments over the last year during the agency's annual meeting last night.

Gail Hardt says they kept a close eye on four initiatives, including the Family Mentoring Program. She says the other programs were Valley Transit's Connector service, an early learning and literacy Initiative, and project that provided school-based mental health services in Menasha.

The United Way also handed out its annual awards. Jill Murrow and John Hogerty won for their volunteer service, and Wes Urch received the "Special Recognition" award.

State grant coming for BelGioioso project

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:42:00 CST

The state is pitching in to help a local cheesemaker build a new packaging and distribution center in the town of Ledgeview.

Town chair Jeff Van Straten says the $300,000 grant will cover half of the costs to extend water and sewer to the BelGioioso Cheese site at Highway MM and Ledgeview Road.

With the new facility, BelGioioso Cheese plans to add 79 new jobs over the next three years. Van Straten says that doesn't take into account the impact that the $15 million construction project will have on the building industry.

Kimberly woman dies week after Hwy. 41 crash

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:20:00 CST

A Kimberly woman died last night from injuries she suffered in a traffic crash on Highway 41 last Thrusday.

Brown County Sheriff's officials say 44-year-old Toni Miller died shortly before 11 p.m. She was merging onto Highway 41 from Highway 172 when a semi pulled onto the shoulder in front of her. Authorities say Miller tried to avoid the semi, but couldn't. Her car was pushed across the highway, into a delivery truck. The truck and car rolled several times in the median.

Miller's passenger, 47-year-old Karen Poudrier-Quella of Appleton, died shortly after the crash. The truck driver suffered non life threatening injuries.

Wisconsin not a finalist for 'Race to the Top'

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:45:00 CST

Wisconsin is not one of the 15 states that are finalists for more than $4.5 billion in federal education funding.

The state was asking for $254 million from the "Race to the Top" program. Appleton school superintendent Lee Allinger says the district was hoping to receive $1 million. He says they planned to use the money for teacher training and development.

Today's announcement was for the first round of "Race to the Top" funding. The state can apply in June for a second round of grants.

Governor Doyle blames the Legislature for failing to give Milwaukee's mayor control of the city's school district. He says it weakened Wisconsin's application.

16-year-old Manawa teen killed in crash

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:44:00 CST

A crash last night in Waupaca County claimed the life of a 16-year-old Manawa teen.

The sheriff's department says Christopher Wheeler was killed when he crossed the centerline of Highway 22 and hit an on-coming pickup truck around 9:45 p.m. An 18-year-old Waupaca man was driving the truck, and he was flown to Theda Clark with unspecified injuries.

The crash happened in the town of Little Wolf, just south of Manawa.

Wheeler was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police release name of motorcycle crash victim

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:43:00 CST

Green Bay police say the 21-year-old man who lost his life in a motorcycle crash yesterday morning is Orlando Mercado.

They say Mercado may have been speeding when he lost control of his motorcycle around 9:45 a.m. in the 2100 block of Preble Avenue.

Investigators say Mercado slid into a parked SUV and he was pronounced dead at the scene. They say he was wearing a helmet, but he still suffered serious head injuries.

Firefighters rescue dog from mobile home fire

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:42:00 CST

Town of Menasha firefighters rescued a dog from a burning mobile home this morning.

Police officer Jason Weber says the mobile home in a park in the 800 block of E. Shady Lane was already engulfed in flames when they arrived shortly before 1:30 a.m.

The owner, a 57-year-old woman, was outside. She told firefighters her smoke alarm woke her up, and she was able to escape through her bedroom window.

Weber says her dog was still inside, so firefighters went into the burning building and found the animal hiding under a bed. He says the dog is OK, which made a bad situation a little better for the woman.

Weber says a working smoke alarm prevented a real tragedy this morning.

The mobile home was a complete loss. Investigators haven't pinpointed the cause yet.

Expect traffic delays around Hwy. 41 in Oshkosh

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:42:00 CST

Expect delays if you drive in parts of Oshkosh during the next few months.

Two projects to rebuild overpasses are significantly reducing the number of routes drivers can take to cross Highway 41.

Oshkosh Police Officer Joe Nichols says it's leading to some backups, especially on 9th Avenue. He says drivers should leave early because traffic could be backed up.

Nichols says the 20th Avenue overpass should be open again this summer. Witzel Avenue could be closed until September.

Jury selection to start for Schmidt murder trial

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:25:00 CST

The case against a former Appleton firefighter accused of murdering his estranged wife is moving to Stevens Point for the day.

The Scott Schmidt trial is officially scheduled to start tomorrow with opening statements at the Outagamie County justice center, but today, Judge John DesJardins and attorneys from both sides are at the Portage County courthouse to pick a jury.

Jurors are coming from that area because of pre-trial publicity.

The 39-year-old Schmidt is charged with the April 2008 shooting death of Kelly Wing Schmidt, and attempted murder for wounding her mother, Barbara Wing.

Once the jury is in place, members will travel to Appleton by bus every day throughout the trial.

They'll have to rule on two different things during the trial -- first on whether Schmidt is guilty or innocent of the crime, and then if he's convicted, whether he is not guilty by mental disease or defect.

Shortly after he was arrested for the shooting at Wing Schmidt's Grand Chute home, Schmidt resigned from the fire department.

Gov. Doyle signs BPA ban

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:21:00 CST

Governor Doyle signed a ban that will keep a chemical out of products for young children.

Some scientists are linking BPA to heart disease, cancer and other health problems. Doyle says the new law will keep companies from selling baby bottles, sippy cups and other plastic containers that contain BPA, if they're intended for kids three years and under.

Doyle says while the ban doesn't cover all plastic products that have BPA in them, he believes manufacturers will back away from using the chemical altogether.

Two other states already have the ban in place, and Doyle says it's possible that the federal government will put some regulations on the books.

Man killed in Green Bay motorcycle crash

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:20:00 CST

A 21-year-old man lost his life after he lost control of his motorcycle this morning on Green Bay's eastside.

Police commander Lisa Sterr says the man hit a parked SUV in the 2100 block of Preble Avenue around 9:45. She says he was wearing a helmet, but he suffered head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sterr says investigators believe speed was a factor in the crash. No one was in the parked SUV.

She says they're looking for any witnesses to the accident.

Students offended by racist flyers

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:45:00 CST

UW-Oshkosh officials say many students were offended by racist flyers that were distributed on campus earlier this week.

Kathleen Mueske is the associate director of the school's counseling center. She says the ads were very derogatory to minorities.

Mueske says similar flyers were sent around campus two other times within the past year. She says university officials are trying to figure out where they are coming from.

Racist flyers were also distributed on the St. Norbert College campus last week.

Fire destroys Fond du Lac bowling alley

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:44:00 CST

A bowling alley in Fond du Lac was heavily damaged by fire this morning.

Fire chief Peter O'Leary says flames were already showing when they arrived at Last Stop Lanes, shortly before 4 a.m. He says because the fire was so advanced, they were forced to fight it defensively. He says part of the roof collapsed, making the structure even less stable.

O'Leary says it may be some time before they can get into the building to determine the cause of the fire. Last Stop Lanes is located at the corner of Lincoln and Division Street.

Police chief praises vote on ID picture access

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:43:00 CST

Neenah's police chief says having computer access to drivers license pictures will help officers in the field.

The Senate followed the Assembly's lead yesterday by approving a measure that would give officers instant access to those pictures.

Chief Kevin Wilkenson says seeing a picture would have helped officers last week when a suspect gave a false name during a traffic stop. He says it will also help officers stop identity thieves.

Wilkenson says Governor Doyle is expected to sign the measure.

DOT holding meetings on Hwy. 41 projects

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:42:00 CST

Another piece to the puzzle of the Highway 41 expansion project gets underway this spring, and tonight, the state is revealing the schedule for work between Neenah and Oshkosh.

Kris Schuller is a spokesman for the DOT, and he says they're going to improve the Highway 76 interchange in Oshkosh, starting next month. He says while they widen the overpass and extend the on and off ramps, people won't be able to get on or off of Highway 41 from April until June.

Schuller says they're also going to do some preliminary work in the Breezewood Lane area., before crews rebuild that interchange next year.

The DOT is holding a public meeting on the plans tonight, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Winnebago County highway department in Oshkosh.

Officials are hosting another meeting in Howard tonight on a different part of the Highway 41 project. Schuller says in Brown County, they're looking for input on the various options for the stretch between Memorial Drive and Lineville Road.

He says the big issue is the I-43 interchange, and whether to make minor improvements or completely rebuild it.

That meeting is at Bay View middle school from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Smaller cities can now crackdown on landlords

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:41:00 CST

A new state law gives more communities the same power to go after problem landlords that big cities in Wisconsin already had.

Under the previous lawm, cities like Appleton with at least 40,000 people had more tools to crack down on nuisance properties.

Rep. Terese Berceau of Madison says she's seen problems move into smaller, neighboring communities.

The rules give communities the authority to force problem landlords out of business.

Panel delays action on ousting state lawmaker

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:40:00 CST

A group of state lawmakers aren't making a decision yet on the future of a member of the assembly.

Rep. Jeff Wood is facing three separate charges for driving under the influence, after he was arrested three times last year. Rep. Steve Nass of Whitewater wants to expel the Chippewa Falls Independent from the assembly.

A special panel is considering the matter, and Wood told members this morning that he should be allowed to serve out his term.

Nass wasn't at today's hearing. Rep. Mary Hubler is the committee chair, and she says she won't allow members to vote until Nass shows up to take questions. She says Wood should be able to face his accuser.

The panel could reprimand or expel Wood from office.

Judge: Schmidt can't use adultery defense

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:25:00 CST

A former Appleton firefighter accused of killing his estranged wife will have to change his defense for his pending trial.

Scott Schmidt is scheduled to stand trial, starting Friday, for the murder of Kelly Wing Schmidt.

Outagamie County judge John DesJardins ruled yesterday that Schmidt can't present the defense that he killed Wing Schmidt to prevent her from committing felony adultery.

Schmidt is charged with first-degree intentional homicide for the shooting death of Wing Schmidt at her home in Grand Chute. He's also charged with attempted murder for shooting Wing Schmidt's mother, Barbara Wing.

Schmidt's attorney planned to argue that his client shot them to keep Wing Schmidt from going to Chicago to commit adultery.

Jurors from Portage County will hear the case and jury selection will start tomorrow.

Peterson picked as town's permanent chief

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:24:00 CST

Grand Chute officials will make an offer to keep their interim police chief on the job, permanently.

The town's police and fire commission unanimously agreed yesterday to offer the position to interim chief Greg Peterson. Commission chair Rob Sunstrom says Peterson was an excellent candidate.

Peterson became the interim chief in the middle of 2008, when the town and city of Appleton started looking at a possible police department merger. He had been an assistant chief in Appleton, and he would have gone back to the city's department, if the commission had picked another candidate for town's police chief.

The panel picked Peterson over the other finalist....Kohler police chief William Rutten.

Appleton Coated wins early ruling in trade case

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:23:00 CST

The case isn't over, but Appleton Coated and two other paper companies are pleased with a decision in an unfair trade case.

Appleton Coated spokeswoman Ann Whalen says they're claiming that China and Indonesia are subsidizing companies that produce coated paper. She says that's putting American papermakers at a competitive disadvantage in the U.S. market.

The federal trade commission agreed, and in a preliminary ruling, imposed tariffs on the imported products.

Whalen says it's good news for workers at Appleton Coated.

The NewPage and Sappi Fine paper companies joined Appleton Coated in making the case against the imports. The International Trade Commission will make a final decision later this year.

Cowles says transparency measure a first step

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:22:00 CST

An area lawmaker says a measure that passed the state senate yesterday could be a first step to lower healthcare costs.

If Governor Doyle signs the healthcare transparency bill, doctors would have to tell patients the average cost of a procedure if they ask for it. Hospitals would also have to post the prices of their 75 most common procedures, and insurers would be required to give an estimate of out-of-pocket costs.

Green Bay Sen. Rob Cowles says he's been pushing for the rules for more than three years. He says it will help people know what they are paying for. He says costs could drop because patients could shop around.

Cowles hopes to eventually force hospitals and doctors to post the prices of all of their procedures.

School leaders attend graduation summit

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:21:00 CST

School leaders from across Wisconsin gathered in southern Wisconsin yesterday to talk about ways to increase high school graduation rates.

Appleton superintendent Lee Allinger says officials talked about different ways to reach students who fall through the cracks. He says some of those ideas included creating new charter schools and developing new alternate diploma programs.

Allinger says Appleton already graduates about 94 percent of their students on time, but there is room for improvement.

He says graduating on time is only part of the goal. Allinger says graduates also have to be prepared for college or the working world.

Allinger says Wisconsin schools graduate about 90 percent of their students on time. He says that leads the nation.

Oshkosh police investigating stabbing

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:45:00 CST

A Milwaukee man was stabbed on Oshkosh's east side early this morning, and investigators are trying to figure out what prompted it.

Police officer Joe Nichols says emergency responders were originally called to a home in the 500 block of School Avenue around 2 a.m. for a 33-year-old man with chest pains. He says they discovered he had a stab wound to the upper left side of his chest.

Nichols says the man was taken to a local hospital, and the stab wound was not life-threatening.

A 35-year-old Oshkosh woman was taken into custody.

Appleton woman shares tragic story with teens

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:44:00 CST

An Appleton woman who lost her two best friends in an accident she caused is talking to high school freshman about the dangers of distracted driving.

Megan Wolf was behind the wheel when her car crossed the median of Highway 41, south of Neenah, in August of 2008. 15-year-old Hanna Twomey and 19-year-old James Markham were in the car with Wolf, and they died at the scene, when they collided with an on-coming van.

Wolf is one of the speakers at the "Party at the PAC" event, today and tomorrow. She says while she wasn't sending a text message while she was driving, she was distracted at the time of the accident. Wolf says it will be worth it if just one student takes her message to heart.

About 5,000 freshmen from 32 local high schools are participating in the "Party at the PAC."

Hydro deal won't hurt NewPage paper mill sale

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:43:00 CST

The sale of NewPage's Kimberly hydroelectric power plant shouldn't hurt the chances of another company buying the idled paper mill.

That's the opinion of Kimberly village administrator Rick Hermus. He says he talked with New Page officials about the proposed purchase by Kaukauna Utilities, and they told him that the plant only supplied the mill with two percent of its power.

He says city and NewPage officials are still trying to sell the mill.

Hermus says NewPage is still keeping the Kimberly mill in working order so it can be quickly restarted if it's sold or orders pick up.

UW schools preparing for Covenant students

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:42:00 CST

The first group of Wisconsin Covenant students will start their college search in the fall, and the president of the UW-System says they're reaching out to them already.

The program offers scholarships to high school graduates who get good grades, help in the community and stay out of trouble.

President Kevin Reilly says they're encouraging students to visit various campuses, and administrators are getting ready. He says they're revamping their applications so Covenant scholars can identify themselves.

Governor Doyle announced yesterday that students who are eligible for the Wisconsin Covenant program can receive scholarships that are between $250 and $2,500 for their first two years of school.

Oshkosh library celebrates Dr. Seuss' birthday

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:41:00 CST

Kids all over the country will be picking up Dr. Seuss books today.

Hundreds of libraries are participating in the Read Across America event, which memorializes the childrens author's birthday.

Lisa Voss is the head of library development at the Oshkosh Public Library, and she says the Seuss celebration is a pretty big deal. She says tonight's event includes a story reading, Dr. Seuss bingo, and birthday cake.

Voss says they'll also have a number of prize drawings during tonight's celebration, which runs from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Officials question state about $6 million grant

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:24:00 CST

Local officials are wonder what the state is doing with a $6 million federal grant that was supposed to fund a new lift bridge in Little Chute.

Congressman Steve Kagen secured the money for the village in 2008, but the project stalled when officials couldn't come up with the remaining $1.5 million for the project.

Outagamie County Executive Toby Paltzer has been trying to get the money shifted to the county to repair or replace a number of bridges, but he says the state took the grant late last year. He says they aren't saying what they've done with it.

Little Chute Administrator Chuck Kell confirmed that the state took the grant money, but couldn't comment on the situation.

5,000 teens expects at Party at the PAC

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:23:00 CST

Five thousand teens from 32 local high schools will take part in an outreach program aimed at making them better, safer drivers.

The Party at the PAC teaches teens about dangers of drunken driving and other risky behavior. Doctor Ray Georgen is the Trauma Director at Theda Clark Medical Center. He says the program is mainly aimed at freshman and sophomores.

Doctor Georgen says this year they will place an emphasis on texting while driving.

Local police and fire officials will join first responders and doctors, to perform skits depicting tragic accidents. Students will also hear from a young woman who spent four months in jail after two of her passengers died in a car crash.

Kaukauna Utilities to buy NewPage power plant

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:22:00 CST

Kaukauna's city council is expected to approve funding tonight for Kaukauna Utilities to buy the NewPage hydroelectric power plant in Kimberly.

Jeff Feldt is the general manager for Kaukauna Utilities. He says with the NewPage plant, the utility will own all eight hydroelectric plants between College Avenue and Wrightstown. He says that will allow them to better control the flow of the river, and help the utility become 10 percent more efficient.

The NewPage plant will cost Kaukauna Utilities $6.5 million, but Feldt says they'll get a $400,000 discount if the deal closes in three months.

IRS reminds people about valuable credit

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:21:00 CST

IRS officials are reminding people to check to see if they are eligible for a big tax credit that is often overlooked.

Spokesman Christopher Miller says about 25 percent of people who are eligible for the earned income tax credit don't claim it, and last year in Wisconsin it was worth an average of $1,900. He says more people are eligible for it this year, because the income limits were raised.

He says more than 330,000 people in Wisconsin claimed the credit last year, and received a total of $625 million worth of deductions.

Milwaukee man sentenced for Grand Chute murder

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 01:30:00 CST

A 26-year-old Milwaukee man will spend at least 50 years in prison for a Grand Chute murder that happened in October of 2008.

Michael Potts was convicted of a murder charge in January for killing a Artheddius Peeler of Minnesota, outside of a Grand Chute apartment complex. Peeler was celebrating his birthday with relatives when the shooting happened.

The murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence, but judge Harold Froelich set Potts' parole eligibility at 50 years. Outagamie County District Attorney Carrie Schneider says she Froehlich went beyond the 35 to 40 years that she asked for after considering his lengthy history of trouble with the law.

25-year-old Keith Birr is also charged with Peeler's murder. He faces a trial in August.

Bemis acquisition finalized, Alcan plant for sale

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:45:00 CST

A tense waiting fame now begins for the nearly 200 employees at Alcan's Menasha plant.

Bemis announced today that it's acquisition of Food America's Alcan Packaging division is complete. However, the U.S. justice department ordered the company to sell Alcan's Menasha facility within 90 days. Bemis spokeswoman Kristy Pavletich says they didn't want to sell that plant, but they have to.

Pavletich says she doesn't have any information about any potential buyers, and she realizes this is a tough time for the Menasha facility's workers.

Paveltich hopes the buyer will retain the skilled workers at the Menasha plant.

Study: Campaign money led to watered down bill

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:44:00 CST

A new study shows contributions may have played a role in the payday loan measure recently passed by the Assembly.

A report from the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign shows the industry contributed heavily to legislative campaign committees last fall. And it paid off, according to the watchdog group's Mike McCabe. The Payday loan industry opposed a bill that included a rate cap, and the version passed by the Assembly last month didn't include one.

The industry contributed nearly $30,000 to legislative leadership committees in the last half of 2009. Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan controls one of those committees. He also admitted to dating a payday loan industry lobbyist while the bill was being considered.

Jobs bill seeks help from investors

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:43:00 CST

The state could give tax credits to investors who are willing to help businesses expand, in areas that were hit hard by the recession.

A jobs bill that passed the Assembly last week is meant to create new jobs. Amy Pietsch is the Director Fox Valley Technical College's Venture Center. She says money from the investors would go into a pool that could be loaned to the businesses.

Pietsch says right now some businesses are having a tough time securing a traditional loan, and this would help them get the funding they need to expand.

Kaukauna Representative Tom Nelson says the state tax credits would be capped at $10 million. The Senate hasn't voted on the measure.

Hwy. 41 Interstate plans on hold

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:42:00 CST

Interstate designation for Highway 41 doesn't appear to be on the fast track.

Winnebago County Highway Commissioner John Haese says he met with DOT officials this morning, and he was surprised that the process may be delayed.

Haese says the state has to request the Interstate designation and DOT officials told him today that there is nothing in the works right now. But he says the change will eventually happen.

Lawmaker pushes for drunk injury coverage

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:41:00 CST

State lawmakers want to make sure insurers pay claims made by people who are drunk when they get hurt. Representative Kelda Roys says some don't cover those injuries.

The Madison Democrat authored a measure that would prohibit alcohol related exclusions. The bill would apply to employee-sponsored plans and self-funded plans offered by state and local governments.

Private self-funded plans would not be covered because they are regulated by the federal government.

Healthcare organization supports transparency bill

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:24:00 CST

Patients would know what a medical procedure would cost before they had it done, under a bill passed by the Assembly last week.

The transparency measure would require hospitals to list the prices of their 75 most performed procedures.

John Toussaint is the President of ThedaCare's Center for Healthcare Value. He says the organization supports the measure. Toussaint says ThedaCare already lists it's prices on a Web-site operated by the Wisconsin Hospital Association.

Toussaint says by the end of the year the Wisconsin Health Information Organization could start a Web-site that allows people to more easily compare prices and quality between health care organizations.

Witzel Avenue closing for overpass replacement

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:23:00 CST

Another overpass is coming down in Oshkosh this week.

Last week DOT officials demolished the 20th Ave. overpass of Highway 41. This week they're taking down the Witzel Avenue bridge. DOT Spokesman Kris Schuller says it's part of a multi-year project to expand Highway 41 to six lanes.

There will be a number of overnight lane closures this week, when crews tear down the overpass.

Schuller says the new Witzel Ave. overpass is expected to open in September.

Work continues on Fox Locks

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:22:00 CST

Spring is on the way, and crews are getting ready to resume work on the Fox River locks.

Harlan Kiesow of the Fox River Navigational Authority says once the weather warms up, they'll be focusing on lock number five in Kaukauna. He says they received a grant that will pay for the restoration.

Eventually, officials plan to have all of the locks along the Fox River operational again. Kiesow says they cleared brush from the navigational canal in Little Chute so they can reflood it this summer. But he says people won't be able to use it until a lift bridge is replaced at Island Park.

He says the Appleton locks are operational, but they'll only be open a few weekends this summer.

WI lawmaker wants to limit gov's veto

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:21:00 CST

Nearly two years ago Wisconsin voters passed a referendum to prohibit the governor from using his veto pen to combine sentences to change the meaning of a bill.

Now a state lawmaker wants to take it a step farther. Senator Fred Risser says the governor shouldn't be able to delete parts of a sentence. The Madison Democrat says that power has resulted in drastic changes to legislation.

Risser says his proposal would limit the governor's partial veto power to striking entire sentences from a bill.

Risser's proposal would have to pass two consecutive Legislatures and a statewide referendum to become law.

Appleton woman killed in Hwy. 41 crash

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:47:00 CST

A crash that closed Highway 41 in Ashwaubenon for several hours yesterday killed an Appleton woman and left a Kimberly woman seriously hurt.

Brown County Sheriff's officials say it happened around 4:15 p.m. when a semi was pulling onto to the shoulder of Highway 41 while a car was merging from Highway 172.

They say 44-year-old Toni Miller of Kimberly was driving the car and tried to avoid the semi, but the vehicles collided and her car was pushed across the southbound lanes, hitting a delivery truck.

Authorities say the truck and car rolled several times in the median. Brown County officials say Miller suffered life threatening injuries and is in critical condition. Her passenger 47 year old Karen Poudrier-Quella died in the crash. The delivery truck driver received non life-threatening injuries.

Assembly votes to drop IRA transfer penalty

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:40:00 CST

The state will no longer penalize people who want to shift money in their retirement account into a Roth IRA.

Yesterday the Assembly voted to remove the penalties to match federal rules which were changed more than a year ago. Kaukauna Representative Tom Nelson says there is a lag between when things happen in Washington, and when they change in Wisconsin.

Nelson says the state will lose tax revenue from the penalties in the future.

Janelle Fuhrmann of Thrivent Financial says the change allows penalty-free transfers from most retirement plans. She says it also let's people decide when they want to pay taxes on their retirement money. It's taken off of traditional plans when money is withdrawn, but you pay up front with a Roth IRA.

1,500 expected for Fr. Mike's funeral

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:25:00 CST

About 1,500 people are expected to pay their last respects to a popular Appleton priest who died this week, after receiving a serious head injury from a fall.

Ann Higgens of Saint Mary's parish is helping to organize the funeral. She says Father Mike O'Rourke touched a lot of lives, and people want a chance to say their last goodbye. Higgens the area around the church will be busy all morning.

Higgens says once the church fills, they will open other rooms and the Catholic Central auditorium...where people will be able to watch a live feed of the mass.

She says several hundred people attended a visitation for O'Rourke yesterday.

'Legally Blonde' coming to the P.A.C

whbyam@wcinet.com (WHBY) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:23:00 CST

A Broadway musical that's based on a Hollywood movie is coming to the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in April.

Tickets for "Legally Blonde -- The Musical" go on sale this morning. Tara Brzozowski is a spokeswoman for the venue. She says the production brings some new life to the movie.

Legally Blonde will be in town from April 20 to 25. Tickets will be available this morning, starting at 10 a.m.